News Nook: Oct 15, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) Top Regulators and CEOs to Speak at BS BFSI Insight Summit 2025 in Mumbai

• The Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025 will be held from October 29 to 31 at the Jio Convention Center, bringing together top leaders from banking, financial services, and insurance.
• The three-day event will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and fireside chats on topics like fintech, mutual funds, insurance, and housing finance.
• Source: Business Standard

2) AI Agents Set to Manage Most BFSI Back-Office Tasks in India: Survey

• A new report by Iron Mountain and HFS Research found that 57% of Indian BFSI executives believe AI agents will soon handle over 75% of back-office operations.
• The study highlights rapid adoption of automation and digital workflows, though challenges like skill gaps and data quality still hinder full transformation.
• Source: NDM News Network

3) Supreme Court Seeks Centre and SEBI Response on Sahara’s Plea to Sell Assets to Adani Properties

• The Supreme Court has asked the Union Government and SEBI to respond to Sahara India Commercial Corporation’s plea seeking approval to sell 88 properties, including Amby Valley and Sahara Seher, to Adani Properties Pvt Ltd.
• The Court directed Sahara to include the Finance and Corporate Affairs ministries and requested an amicus curiae to verify property claims, with the next hearing scheduled for November 17.
• Source: LiveLaw

4) Experts Fear SEBI’s Proposed ‘Lookback Period’ for Broker Defaults May Hurt Investors

• SEBI has proposed that only trades executed within three years before a broker’s default be eligible for compensation under the Investor Protection Fund (IPF), aiming to simplify and speed up claim processing.
• Legal experts warn this could disadvantage investors who discover fraud or missing shares years later, arguing the rule may prioritize regulatory convenience over investor protection.
• Source: Moneycontrol

B) Automobile:

1) India’s Automobile Industry Shows Mixed Trends in Q2: SIAM

• India’s auto sector showed a mixed performance in Q2, with some segments like passenger and commercial vehicles recovering steadily.
• Two-wheeler and tractor sales remained under pressure, but overall industry sentiment improved with signs of gradual recovery.
• Source: ANI News

C) Pharma:

1) India Accuses Balaji Amines of Producing Pharma-Grade Chemical Without Licence

• Indian authorities have alleged that Balaji Amines produced pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol (PG) without a valid drug manufacturing licence, though tests found no contamination in the product.
• The company stated it has not sold PG to pharmaceutical firms for medical use since it began production in 2022, denying any wrongdoing amid the broader PG contamination scandal.
• Source: Reuters

2) Hikal Opens HPAPI Laboratory at Pune Innovation Centre to Boost CDMO Capabilities

• Hikal has inaugurated a new High Potency Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (HPAPI) Laboratory at its Integrated Innovation Centre in Pune to enhance its global pharmaceutical development capabilities.
• The cGMP-compliant facility supports the development of complex oncology and specialty molecules like ADCs, PDCs, and PROTACs, reinforcing Hikal’s focus on safety, innovation, and advanced containment standards.
• Source: Express Pharma

D) FMCG:

1) FMCG Inflation Remains Steady Despite Price Drops in Auto and Electronics Sectors

• While GST rate cuts led to a sharp fall in inflation for automobiles and electronic items in September, FMCG products like toothpaste, shampoo, and soaps showed little price moderation.
• Analysts attributed the slower impact on FMCG prices to delayed pass-through of tax benefits caused by existing inventories and input cost pressures.
• Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

E) Agriculture:

1) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Urges Farmers to Adopt Scientific Stubble Management in Punjab

• During his visit to Ludhiana’s Nurpur Bet, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with farmers, reviewed modern farm machinery like the SSMS-fitted combine harvester and Happy Smart Seeder, and praised the village for avoiding stubble burning since 2017.
• The Minister highlighted the benefits of scientific residue management and direct seeding methods, noting improved soil fertility, reduced urea use, and higher yields, and later visited the ‘Samanyu Honey’ Beekeeping Centre in Doraha to promote apiculture.
• Source: Press Information Bureau

2) ₹1,166 Crore Projects Launched to Boost Dairy and Livestock Sector; 125 Crore Animal Vaccinations Under PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth ₹1,166 crore to strengthen India’s dairy and livestock sectors, under initiatives like PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses.
• The projects include new dairy plants, IVF labs, and animal husbandry infrastructure across several states, along with over 125 crore free animal vaccinations to ensure disease-free livestock and higher farmer income.
• Source: Press Information Bureau

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• S&P forecasts corporate capital expenditure of $800 billion in FY26-30 and $1 trillion in FY31-35, driven by infrastructure and R&D investments. The revival follows years of stalled private capex, with lean corporate balance sheets and political stability supporting large expansion plans.
• Feminization of poverty refers to the growing number of women among the poor, driven by wage gaps, unpaid work, limited education, and restricted asset ownership. It impacts economic growth, health, and political participation, while schemes like NRLM, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and PMMY aim to empower women. Constitutional provisions and Supreme Court judgments ensure legal protection and gender equality in India.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• Indian equity markets ended higher on October 15, with Sensex up 575 points at 82,605 and Nifty closing at 25,323, led by gains in realty, financials, and metals; midcap and smallcap indices also saw healthy advances.
• Key gainers included Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Trent, Nestle India, and Asian Paints, while Infosys, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra, and Axis Bank were among the losers.
• Market optimism was supported by easing US-China trade tensions, a rebound in the rupee, and a stable start to the earnings season.

Bonus Briefs:

• Global markets opened with heightened volatility as AI-driven trading interacts with ongoing concerns over Federal Reserve policy and the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, while U.S. crude prices slipped to multi-week lows.
• Renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and China triggered currency swings, with NZD/USD plunging amid worries that tariffs could slow China’s economy and reduce demand for Australian exports like iron ore, coal, and agricultural products.
• The U.S. and China announced reciprocal port fees, escalating trade friction and raising risks for global shipping, commodity flows, and broader geopolitical stability.