News Nook: Jul 31, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) Jio Financial to raise ₹15,825 crore for expansion

Jio Financial will raise ₹15,825 crore by issuing special shares (called convertible warrants) to two promoter companies, mainly to fund its new ventures in insurance and lending.
This move comes as Jio is rapidly expanding its financial services – from mutual funds (in partnership with BlackRock) to a new insurance JV with Allianz, and its NBFC arm’s AUM jumping from ₹217 crore to ₹11,665 crore in a year.
Source: Economic Times

2) Sebi confirms ban on Gensol and Jaggi brothers over fund misuse

Sebi has officially banned Gensol Engineering and its former top bosses, the Jaggi brothers, from the securities market for misusing company funds and poor corporate governance.
The Jaggi brothers, who also co-founded BluSmart Mobility, are barred from being directors or key officials at Gensol, which is currently undergoing insolvency proceedings.
Source: Economic Times

3) Sebi fines 11 people nearly ₹4 crore for stock manipulation via Telegram

Sebi has fined 11 individuals ₹3.87 crore for manipulating the stock price of Darshan Orna Ltd by using Telegram and other social media platforms to spread misleading messages.
The group operated in layers—some bought and sold shares using relatives’ accounts, others funded the operation, while a few managed message circulation through Telegram channels to influence retail investors.
Source: Economic Times

B) Automobile:

1) India targets top global spot in auto industry: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government aims to make India the world’s No. 1 automobile industry, which has already grown from ₹7.5 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹22 lakh crore in 2025 and created 4.5 crore jobs.
Currently, India ranks third globally behind the U.S. (₹78 lakh crore) and China (₹47 lakh crore), but Gadkari expressed confidence in India's strong industrial future.
Source: Economic Times

C) Pharma:

1) Trump’s tariffs on India may backfire, say pharma leaders

Indian pharma leaders slammed President Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian goods, warning it could hurt American patients by triggering drug shortages and price hikes, as India is a major supplier of affordable generics to the U.S.
Industry experts argue that the move may not damage India’s economy as intended, but could destabilize the U.S. healthcare system instead.
Source: Economic Times

D) Telecommunication:

1) DoT’s draft eSecurity rules spark criticism over privacy concerns

The telecom department’s proposed cybersecurity rules have drawn criticism for being too broad, allowing the government to monitor apps, OTT platforms, and any service using mobile numbers, raising major privacy concerns.
Industry experts and telcos argue the rules risk regulatory overreach, need clearer definitions, and could violate user rights, despite their intent to curb online fraud and strengthen national security.
Source: Economic Times

E) Agriculture:

1) Nepalese MPs visit Delhi to learn from India’s agricultural success

A 16-member Nepalese parliamentary team met Indian agriculture leaders in New Delhi to explore India’s advancements in farming, including digital tools, precision agriculture, crop insurance, and farmer welfare schemes.
India assured full support in sharing agricultural science and technology through ICAR, aiming to deepen India–Nepal cooperation at policy, tech, and grassroots levels.
Source: Press Information Bureau

2) PM to release 20th PM-Kisan installment on August 2 from Varanasi

Prime Minister Modi will release ₹20,500 crore to 9.7 crore farmers under the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan scheme, with a nationwide campaign to ensure timely Direct Benefit Transfer.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged officials and grassroots workers to treat the event like a festival, enhancing awareness and participation, especially through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and local outreach workers.
Source: Press Information Bureau

F) Energy:

1) Indian refiners may face trouble from fresh EU sanctions on Russia: ICRA

Credit rating agency ICRA warned that new EU sanctions on Russia could create challenges for Indian oil refiners, especially those indirectly sourcing Russian crude or using services linked to the EU.
These sanctions may impact payment mechanisms, logistics, and insurance, potentially increasing costs and operational hurdles for Indian refiners relying on discounted Russian oil.
Source: Economic Times

G) IT:

1) Indian IT sector braces for indirect hit from US tariff move

Although Indian IT firms aren’t directly targeted by the new 25% US tariffs, experts warn the move could hurt them indirectly by dampening US consumer confidence and shrinking tech budgets.
EY’s Nitin Bhatt said the ripple effects — including reduced discretionary spending, rising costs, and workforce mobility challenges — may further delay decision-making and slow recovery for India’s tech industry.
Source: Economic Times

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047 needs fresh economic thinking as old growth engines like IT slow down and global trade shifts. Experts warn that without bold reforms and a renewed commitment to long-term development, India risks falling short of this ambitious target.
EAM Jaishankar said the Modi government corrected Nehru-era mistakes by suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, asserting that “blood and water cannot flow together” and peace cannot come through appeasement.
The IMF’s July 2025 World Economic Outlook update highlights India as a global bright spot, projecting a robust 6.4% GDP growth amid widespread global uncertainty. While the world economy shows resilience with a projected 3% growth in 2025, risks remain due to geopolitical tensions, tariff hikes by the US, and surging government debt. The US economy is forecast to slow sharply to 1.9% in 2025, while China, despite tensions, is expected to grow at a healthy 4.8%. India's consistent outperformance places it among the few economies closing the gap with advanced nations in absolute GDP terms.

Indian Stock Market Update:

Indian markets ended lower on July 31, with Sensex down 296 pts and Nifty below 24,800, dragged by U.S. tariff threats, weak earnings, and FII outflows; Tata Steel and Sun Pharma were top losers.
Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff and penalty on Indian goods from August 1 spooked markets, hitting textile stocks hardest; both benchmarks ended July down ~3%.
On the global front, S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs amid strong tech earnings, while ICE beat profit estimates due to volatility; Coal India and HUL posted resilient results, but Mankind Pharma and Adani Enterprises saw sharp profit declines.