News Nook: Jul 25, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) BFSI sector in India sees hiring boom in fraud and compliance roles

• India’s banking and financial sector is hiring more people for fraud control, KYC, and compliance jobs, with over 25,500 professionals now working in these areas.
• Most of these jobs are in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad, as global banks and firms build teams to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.
• Source: IBEF

2) US tariffs and new bill hit Indian IT sector, push firms back to BFSI

• Indian IT companies are seeing slower earnings as manufacturing, life sciences, and communications clients cut spending due to US tariffs and policy changes, forcing firms to rely more on BFSI and retail for growth.
• Companies like TCS, Infosys, HCL, and Tech Mahindra are shifting focus back to banking and retail as other industries face delays and cost pressures from tariffs, regulatory issues, and supply chain disruptions.
• Source: Economic Times

3) LIC reshuffles ₹15.5 lakh crore portfolio, adds defence stocks, trims retail favourites

• LIC has cut its stakes in 81 companies, including retail favourites like Suzlon Energy, Reliance Power, and Vedanta, while adding four PSU defence stocks to its holdings.
• The insurer now holds a portfolio of 277 stocks worth ₹15.5 lakh crore, as it shifts focus toward more stable and strategic investments.
• Source: Economic Times

4) M’Belle International directors fined for not paying Sebi penalty

• A special court convicted Gopu Parimal Belani and Anupama Motwani, directors of M’Belle International, for not depositing a ₹1 crore Sebi penalty from 2004.
• Both directors were fined ₹1 crore each for failing to comply with the earlier penalty order.
• Source: Times of India

5) SEBI allows mutual fund managers to skip recording in-person meetings

• Starting August 3, mutual fund managers won’t need to record face-to-face meetings, even outside office premises, though phone calls and dealing room conversations during market hours must still be recorded.
• The rule change aims to give fund managers more flexibility while keeping existing compliance checks like recorded calls, surveillance, and alerts intact.
• Source: Moneycontrol

6) SEBI and AMFI launch ‘SEBI vs Scam’ campaign to fight financial fraud

• SEBI, along with AMFI, has launched a campaign to educate investors about fraudulent practices and how to protect themselves from scams in the financial markets.
• The campaign encourages investors to follow updates and tips through SEBI’s official channels, including its X (Twitter) handle, to stay informed and vigilant.
• Source: Economic Times

B) Telecommunication:

1) 5G services now available across India, covering nearly all districts

• 5G services have been rolled out in every state and union territory, now reaching 99.8% of districts with 4.86 lakh 5G towers installed by June 2025.
• The government has also set up 100 5G labs in higher education institutions and partnered with global tech firms like Ericsson and Qualcomm to build skills and use cases.
• Source: PIB

2) Draft National Telecom Policy targets ₹1 lakh crore investment and 10 lakh jobs by 2030

• The new draft policy aims to bring ₹1 lakh crore in annual investments and generate 10 lakh jobs in India’s telecom sector by 2030.
• It seeks to make India a top 10 global hub for innovation in 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, and quantum communications while boosting the sector’s GDP contribution.
• Source: IBEF via Outlook Business

C) Agriculture:

1) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana continues to boost irrigation and water efficiency

• Launched in 2015, PMKSY aims to improve farm water access, expand irrigated land, and promote efficient and sustainable water use through projects like canal development, water body restoration, and micro-irrigation.
• The scheme, running till 2025-26, has avoided land acquisition for 76,594 hectares by using 55,290 km of underground pipelines and uses dashboards and SCADA systems to track progress and improve efficiency.
• Source: PIB

2) RBI signals cautious optimism amid rising inflation and economic pressures

• RBI’s latest report says the economy is holding up with strong services, modest industry, and good kharif prospects, but warns of global volatility, rising inflation, and fragile external balances.
• Industrial slowdown, softer demand, weaker credit growth, falling forex reserves, and rupee depreciation highlight growing economic strains, while oil price volatility and inflation risks remain key threats.
• Source: State of the Economy Report (RBI), TOI

3) Governor Nazeer hails Andhra Pradesh as a leader in agriculture with record output

• India’s food grain production hit a record 353.95 million tonnes in 2024, up 6.5% year-on-year, driven by bumper harvests of wheat, rice, and maize and supportive government policies.
• Governor S Abdul Nazeer highlighted agriculture’s 16% GDP contribution and 46.1% workforce share, noting AP’s strong 8.8% CAGR in agriculture and allied sectors during 2024–25.
• Source: TNIE 

D) Energy:

1) Indian Oil staff oppose pipeline division revamp and outsourcing plans

• Indian Oil Corporation’s officers are resisting plans to restructure its profitable pipeline division and outsource aviation fuel stations, depots, and terminals to private players, citing safety and strategic risks.
• The officers’ association warned the petroleum minister that privatization could compromise safety standards and national interests, especially during emergencies, while the division lacks a director since June 2025.
• Source: ET Bureau

2) Oil ministry may bring captive pipelines under PNGRB regulation

• The government plans to amend the PNGRB Act to bring oil companies’ dedicated pipelines under the regulator, enabling better monitoring, safety checks, and potential conversion into common carriers.
• The move is aimed at promoting fair competition, regulating tariffs, and allowing third-party access to protect consumer interests.
• Source: ET Bureau

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• The 2025 Vegetable Oil Products Regulation Order, set to replace the 2011 order next week, will use digital tools to monitor imports, production, stocks, and sales, ensuring real-time tracking and compliance.
• Global FDI to emerging markets has fallen sharply, and in India, despite $81 billion gross inflows in FY25, net FDI dropped 96% to $0.35 billion, highlighting the need for reforms, trade integration, and policy action to attract and retain capital.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• The Nifty 50 fell 0.86% to 24,844, breaking the crucial 24,900 support level, as auto, metals, banks, IT, and energy stocks dragged markets lower for a second straight session.
• Major losers included Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, PowerGrid, and Jio Financial Services, while weak Q1 earnings and margin concerns weighed on sentiment.

Bonus Briefs:

• Former US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum, threatening tariffs on several countries — possibly including the EU — if trade negotiations fail by August 1.
• Thousands of users worldwide reported issues accessing Yahoo Mail, with disruptions impacting email services across regions.