News Nook: Oct 17, 2025

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1) BFSI Sector Doubles Coworking Space Use, Moving Beyond Startups

• Banks and financial institutions are now major users of coworking spaces in India, doubling their share since 2023 and accounting for about 10% of total flexible office demand.
• This shift shows that coworking spaces are no longer just for startups — BFSI firms are choosing them for flexibility, cost control, and hybrid work models, with their leases bringing in much higher revenue than multiple startups combined.
• Source: Moneycontrol

2) Prasol Chemicals Files ₹500 Crore IPO with SEBI

• Prasol Chemicals has filed draft papers with SEBI to launch an initial public offering (IPO) worth ₹500 crore.
• The company, known for its wide range of chemical products, plans to use the proceeds for business expansion and growth initiatives.
• Source: Indian Chemical News

B) Automobile:

1) Hybrids Overtake Petrol and EVs as Top Choice for Festive Car Buyers

• A Grant Thornton Bharat survey shows 38% of Indian consumers now prefer hybrid vehicles, surpassing petrol (30%) and electric vehicles (21%) this festive season, with diesel dropping to just 8%.
• The growing shift towards hybrids is driven by better fuel efficiency, ease of refuelling, and state-level incentives, making them a practical bridge between petrol and electric options.
• Source: Moneycontrol

C) Pharma:

1) Centre Denies Deadline Extension for Pharma Firms After Coldrif Deaths

• The Central government has refused to extend the deadline for pharmaceutical companies to upgrade their plants to WHO standards, following the deaths of at least 24 children linked to the toxic cough syrup Coldrif.
• While major firms have already complied, smaller drugmakers had sought more time citing high upgrade costs, but the Centre rejected the request to ensure stricter quality control and restore global confidence in Indian medicines.
• Source: Business Standard

D) FMCG:

1) GST Cuts and Weather Disruptions Slow FMCG Growth Ahead of Festive Rebound

• The FMCG sector saw a mixed July–September 2025 quarter as heavy rains, flooding, and GST rate cuts disrupted demand and led to inventory adjustments across major consumer companies.
• Analysts expect recovery in the coming quarters, driven by GST-led consumption revival, stronger rural demand, and festive restocking, with leadership changes at top firms like HUL and Nestlé India marking a transition phase.
• Source: CNBC-TV18

E) Agriculture:

1) Centre Launches ₹1.44 Lakh Crore Mega Agri-Scheme Merging 36 Existing Programmes

• The Union government has rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a ₹1.44 lakh crore initiative merging 36 agricultural schemes under one national framework to boost small farmers’ productivity, income, and access to credit, storage, and technology.
• While the scheme aims to modernise agriculture and attract corporate partnerships with firms like ITC, Mahindra, and Godrej, experts warn it could centralise power, reducing states’ control over agriculture and increasing private influence in policy implementation.
• Source: The Wire

2) Union Agriculture Minister Reviews Plan to Strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)

• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting to review strategies for empowering the country’s 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and making them more effective in supporting small farmers.
• He directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to enhance financial, technical, and human resource support, while urging KVKs to promote integrated and natural farming through model initiatives.
• Source: Press Information(By NewsONair)

F) Energy:

1) India Caught Between Cheap Russian Oil and US Pressure Amid Trade Tensions

• India faces a tough balancing act as the US imposes 50% tariffs on Indian exports, pressuring Delhi to halt discounted Russian oil imports that currently make up 37% of India’s crude supply and save around $5–9 billion annually.
• Experts warn that giving up Russian oil could raise global prices and hurt India’s refinery economics, while continuing imports risks straining US relations and delaying trade deals critical to long-term growth.
• Source: BBC News

G) IT:

1) IT Sector Shows Signs of Recovery as Clients Warm Up to AI-Led Projects

• Major IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, and LTIMindtree reported better-than-expected results, showing that the slowdown in the tech sector may be easing.
• Clients are now spending more on AI-based projects to boost efficiency, helping companies regain growth momentum.
• Source: Business Standard

2) Indian IT Firms Move Towards Local Hiring, Reducing Reliance on H-1B Visas

• Indian IT majors like TCS and HCL Technologies plan to hire more local talent in the US and reduce dependence on costly H-1B visa holders, following new visa fee hikes and tightening immigration rules.
• The shift reflects a long-term strategy of building local teams, expanding offshore delivery, and focusing on AI, cloud, and digital services, while maintaining efficiency and reducing regulatory risks.
• Source: The Week

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• A report by Elara Securities suggests that India’s rise as a top global economy depends on effectively directing household savings into productive investments, which could significantly boost GDP. With favourable demographics, policy reforms, and digital infrastructure, India’s financial savings are set to grow and support long-term economic expansion.

Indian Stock Market Update:

• The Sensex rose 484 points and Nifty 50 crossed a 52-week high of 25,709, driven by gains in HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, and festive optimism.
• Market sentiment was boosted by foreign inflows, easing US bond yields, firm rupee, crude oil dip, and India-US trade optimism, while IPO pressures eased and short covering supported the rally.

Bonus Briefs:

• The IMF has warned that the likelihood of a sudden and disruptive correction in global markets is rising, driven by monetary easing in major economies and trade policies like those of the US.
• Global event risks, including geopolitical tensions and unexpected economic shocks, remain unpredictable but could have significant market impacts once they occur.