News Nook: Aug 19, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI: 

1) Govt Push for Financial Inclusion Through Insurance Schemes

• Government launches major drive to expand affordable insurance and health protection schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, PMJAY and PMFBY to cover every eligible citizen, especially the poor and vulnerable.
• A special “Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign” has reached 2.7 lakh panchayats and urban bodies, backed by 16 lakh banking correspondents and a new Jansuraksha portal for easy scheme access.
• Source: PIB Delhi

2) Sebi Plans Stricter Intraday Trading Rules for Expiry Days

• Sebi is considering raising intraday position limits in index options to ₹5,000 crore but with stricter monitoring and penalties on expiry days, when trading activity usually spikes.
• On non-expiry days, only exchange-level scrutiny will apply, but on expiry days breaches will attract penalties; exchanges must also conduct random intraday checks to curb oversized bets.
• Source: Moneycontrol

3) Sebi Proposes Easier IPO and Shareholding Rules for Large Companies

• Sebi has suggested a new three-tier system for minimum public offers, reducing the percentage of equity large firms must sell during IPOs, while ensuring minimum float amounts.
• The regulator also proposes longer timelines—up to 10 years in some cases—for companies to meet the 25% minimum public shareholding rule, to avoid valuation pressure from large, sudden share sales.
• Source: Times of India

B) Automobile:

1) Govt Considers GST Cut on Cars and Two-Wheelers

• The Centre is weighing a reduction of GST on select cars and two-wheelers from 28% to 18%, a move that could lower prices by ₹20,000–25,000 on entry-level models and boost affordability.
• While small cars and commuter two-wheelers stand to gain most, luxury vehicles may face a new 40% slab; industry experts caution that unclear cess adjustments could delay purchases despite long-term demand benefits.
• Source: Moneycontrol

C) Pharma:

1) Fitch Warns of US Tariff Risks for Indian Pharma Sector

• Fitch Ratings has cautioned that Indian pharmaceuticals, a major export earner, face significant risks if the US imposes fresh tariffs, with Biocon Biologics particularly exposed as 40% of its revenue comes from the American market.
• While other sectors like autos and chemicals have some exposure, pharma remains the most vulnerable due to its dependence on US exports, making it harder to absorb higher costs in a competitive market.
• Source: Mint

2) Glenmark, Alembic, Sun Pharma Recall Drugs in US Over Quality Issues

• USFDA has reported that Glenmark, Alembic Pharma, and Sun Pharma are recalling multiple medicines in the US due to manufacturing concerns, including impurities and contamination.
• Glenmark is pulling Carvedilol and Theophylline tablets, Alembic is recalling Doxepin capsules over nitrosamine impurity, and Sun Pharma is recalling Spironolactone tablets due to aluminum contamination.
• Source: Economic Times

D) FMCG

1) FMCG, Consumer Discretionary to Gain from GST Cuts; Defence a Long-Term Bet

• Ambit Asset Management’s Sushant Bhansali said GST cuts ahead of Diwali could boost FMCG and consumer discretionary demand, especially in rural markets, sparking a $13 billion consumption lift.
• While near-term defence sector flows may stay muted due to government finances, Bhansali maintained that its long-term growth story remains intact, making current market conditions favorable for entry.
• Source: Economic Times

E) Telecommunication:

1) Draft Telecom Policy 2025 Targets Self-Reliance, Import Cuts

• India’s draft National Telecom Policy 2025 aims to boost domestic telecom manufacturing by 150% and cut import dependence by 50% by 2030, with proposals for indigenous equipment, 5G spectrum reforms, and wider broadband access.
• Industry groups back local gear mandates and “rip-and-replace” of Chinese equipment, while operators warn of high spectrum costs, fibre hurdles, and revenue risks from direct private 5G allocations.
• Source: Financial Express

F) Agriculture:

1) PM Highlights Govt’s Focus on Fair Prices and Modern Farming

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government is working to resolve key agriculture issues, including ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce and strengthening the rural economy.
• Speaking at the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, he stressed modernizing farming with science and technology to make agriculture a driver of India’s development journey.
• Source: NewsONair

G) Energy:

1) ONGC, EIL to Build India’s First Helium Recovery Plant

• ONGC Energy Centre Trust has partnered with Engineers India Ltd to set up a ₹39.42 crore helium recovery demonstration facility at Kuthalam, Tamil Nadu.
• The project, to be completed in 18 months, will produce 99.995% pure grade-A helium, reducing India’s import dependence for critical applications in space, semiconductors, cryogenics, fibre optics, and healthcare.
• Source: ET EnergyWorld

2) Gadkari Launches Kirloskar’s Ethanol and Isobutanol Engines for Gensets

• Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited unveiled the world’s first ethanol and isobutanol engines for Genset applications, evaluated by ARAI, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari leading the launch.
• The new engines aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and support India’s clean energy and biofuel adoption goals, offering robust performance for industrial and commercial use.
• Source: Indian Infrastructure

H) Infrastructure:

1) India’s REIT market surpasses ₹1 trillion market cap milestone

• India’s four listed REITs — Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust — collectively crossed ₹1 trillion in market capitalisation as of July 30, 2025.
• Together, they manage ₹1.63 trillion in gross AUM, with a portfolio of 128+ million sq. ft. of Grade A assets across commercial real estate.
• Since inception, the REITs have distributed ₹228 billion to unitholders, reflecting rising investor confidence in the sector.
• Source: Indian Infrastructure

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• Govt policy easing, including GST cuts, is spurring consumption, but the real test lies in whether India Inc finally steps up private capex to complement the state’s growth push.
• PM Modi convened top ministers and advisors to chart a road map for next-gen reforms, pledging GST 2.0, self-reliance, chip manufacturing, nuclear expansion, and job creation to accelerate India’s growth.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is preparing a 100-day transformation agenda focused on ease of doing business, FDI liberalisation, FTAs, and startup tax benefits to accelerate India’s growth path to 2047.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Sensex closed 370 points higher while Nifty ended above 24,950, extending gains on optimism around potential GST reforms and positive global cues.
• Auto, oil & gas, media, and energy stocks led the rally, with 9 of the 16 major sectors finishing in the green.
• Broader markets also gained, as both midcap and smallcap indices edged higher, reflecting strong overall market sentiment.

Bonus Briefs:

• Geopolitical tensions remain high as Trump’s stance on Ukraine sparks global concern, with a Trump–Zelenskiy meeting in Washington expected to influence diplomatic and market sentiment.
• Global equities show mixed trends — Japan and Taiwan hit record highs, Chinese shares reached a 10-month peak, while European markets stagnated despite strong U.S. earnings season support.
• Investors eye U.S. policy signals, with oil prices easing on sanction speculation and markets awaiting Powell’s Jackson Hole address, which could shape Fed rate-cut expectations and bond yield movements.