News Nook: Jul 24, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index Rises in FY25

• RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index, which shows how many people use and benefit from financial services like banks, insurance, and pensions, went up by 4.3% in FY25, reaching 67 (out of 100) in March 2025.
• The growth was mainly because more people are using financial products and the quality of services improved, helping more Indians join the formal financial system.
• Source: IBEF

2) SEC Seeks Sebi Details on Jane Street Probe

• The US SEC has asked Sebi for details about its investigation into Jane Street, a US trading firm accused of manipulating India’s derivatives market, where the firm allegedly made over ₹4,843 crore in illegal gains.
• Sebi has shared information under global regulatory agreements, while Jane Street faces hearings after being temporarily barred and later allowed to trade again under conditions.
• Source: Times of India 

3) Sebi May Ease IPO Rules for Large Companies

• Sebi is considering allowing big companies to launch IPOs with smaller issue sizes, meaning they would need to sell (dilute) less of their ownership to the public, making it easier for cash-rich businesses and PSUs to list.
• The proposal may reduce the minimum dilution to 2.5% plus ₹2,500 crore, aiming to remove hurdles that discourage listings and address concerns about negative market reactions to stake sales.
• Source: Moneycontrol

B) Telecommunication:

1) Government Steps to Secure Telecom Networks

• The government has introduced new rules and systems like the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC), and Sanchar Saathi to protect telecom networks, prevent fraud, and detect cyber threats.
• It is also promoting fiber connections, green energy (like solar-powered telecom towers), and development of large data centres to strengthen telecom infrastructure across the country.
• Source: PIB

2) Draft Telecom Cybersecurity Rules 2025 Released

• The government has proposed new rules to strengthen telecom cybersecurity, including mandatory mobile number validation (MNV), stricter IMEI tracking, and fees for validation requests to curb fraud and improve network security.
• These rules will impact telecom operators, banks, payment providers, and businesses using telecom identifiers, requiring system updates and compliance with new processes and data protection laws.
• Source: AK & Partners (via Mondaq)

C) Agriculture:

1) Cold Storages Planned in Every Haryana District

• Haryana’s Agriculture Minister announced that a large cold storage facility will be built in each district to stop crop spoilage and help farmers get better prices for fruits and vegetables.
• The government also plans modern processing units for kinnow, guava, and other produce, along with subsidies and solar power use to reduce storage costs and boost income.
• Source: PTI 

D) Energy:

1) India Slams US Russian Sanctions Act 2025

• India strongly opposed a proposed US law threatening 500% tariffs and NATO-backed secondary sanctions on nations importing Russian oil, calling it unfair as Europe continues to buy Russian energy while pressuring others.
• Russian oil now accounts for over 35% of India’s imports, helping control inflation and saving around USD 13 billion since 2022, so sanctions could spike oil prices and hurt India’s economy and exports.
• Source: Drishti IAS

2) Reliance Faces EU Scrutiny Over Russian Oil Use

• Reliance Industries is under the EU’s radar after new sanctions on diesel made from Russian crude, with the company now exploring alternatives and even buying Abu Dhabi’s costlier Murban crude in a rare move.
• Nearly half of Reliance’s oil imports come from Russia, while Europe accounts for a fifth of its fuel exports, so shifting away from Russian crude could impact sourcing costs and supply strategy.
• Source: Bloomberg (via ET)

3) Petronet LNG Plans $1.4 Billion Loan for Expansion

• Petronet LNG, India’s top natural gas importer, is seeking a ₹120 billion ($1.4 billion) loan to build a petrochemical plant in Dahej and an LNG terminal in Gopalpur, aiming to diversify beyond LNG.
• SBI Capital Markets is advising the deal, with Axis Bank, SBI, and Union Bank expected to participate, making it one of India’s largest rupee loans this year if finalized.
• Source: Economic Times

E) IT

1) Muted Growth, AI Focus to Shape IT Sector in FY26

• India’s IT services sector is expected to grow only 3–5% in FY26, as weak client spending, global uncertainty, and US tariff risks weigh on revenues despite a strong deal pipeline.
• Companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and R&D to drive future growth, though rising costs and muted big-ticket deals are pressuring margins.
• Source: BW Online Bureau

F) Infrastructure:

1) Mumbai Luxury Home Sales Surge in H1 CY25

• Sales of homes priced over ₹40 crore in Mumbai tripled, jumping from 17 units in H1 CY22 to 53 units in H2 CY24, while luxury homes above ₹10 crore recorded sales worth ₹14,750 crore, up 11% year-on-year.
• Worli led as the top luxury hub, with Bandra West, Tardeo, Prabhadevi, and Malabar Hill also seeing strong growth; the costliest deal was Leena Gandhi Tiwari’s ₹639 crore purchase at Naman Xana, Worli.
• Source: Mint

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• Morgan Stanley says state-led reforms, infrastructure push, and rising consumption will help India drive 20% of global growth and overtake Germany and Japan by 2028.
• India’s economy stayed stable amid global tariff uncertainties, supported by good farm output, strong services, moderate industry growth, sub-4% inflation, and resilient external sector with surplus liquidity.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Sensex closed at 82,184 (-542 pts, -0.66%) and Nifty at 25,062 (-158 pts, -0.63%) as IT (-2.2%), Realty (-1.04%), and FMCG (-1.12%) dragged markets despite positive global cues.
• Top losers included Trent, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance, and Infosys; gainers were Eternal (Zomato), Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, and Titan. Nifty PSU Bank (+1.24%) and Pharma (+0.55%) bucked the trend.
• Broader markets fell (MidCap -0.58%, SmallCap -1.09%) as investors shifted focus to Q1 results, with concerns over premium valuations (India at 21x P/E).

Bonus Briefs:

• The IMF cautioned that tariffs are not a sustainable solution to global trade and financial imbalances, warning they could destabilize the international monetary system amid rising geopolitical tensions.
• Crude prices rose on optimism over US trade negotiations and a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories.