News Nook: Sep 22, 2026

Indian Sector Specific News:

A) BFSI:

1)  Govt urges bank staff to call off 28-30 September strike

• The government has asked bank employees to cancel the three-day strike from 28–30 September, warning that it could disrupt banking services for five days when combined with the weekend and the half-yearly closing on 30 September.
• Bank unions are mainly demanding a five-day workweek. The government says the PLI issue has already been kept on hold and other employee welfare measures have been improved, so it wants the remaining issue resolved through talks.
• Source: Livemint

2) Insurance premium collected by microfinance company not taxable as service value

• CESTAT ruled that insurance premiums collected by a microfinance company from borrowers and fully passed on to the insurer cannot be treated as part of the company’s taxable service value.
• Only the administrative charges kept by the microfinance company for its services are subject to service tax.
• Source: JurisHour

3) SEBI uses AI to detect market manipulation and fraud

• SEBI is using AI and machine learning to analyse trading data, derivatives activity and social media posts to spot unusual activity and possible market manipulation faster.
• The technology has helped generate more targeted alerts and speed up some IPO reviews, but SEBI officials still review AI findings to ensure decisions are accurate and legally sound.
• Source: Business Standard

4) 72 companies await SEBI approval to raise nearly ₹1.7 lakh crore through IPOs

• 72 companies are waiting for SEBI approval to launch IPOs and together plan to raise nearly ₹1.7 lakh crore. Major names include Mahanadi Coalfields, Carlsberg India and Sembcorp Green Infra.
• The IPO market remains active, with 21 IPOs scheduled to open this week, while 22 companies have already raised around ₹12,606 crore through IPOs in September.
• Source: Zee Business

5) Abakkus Asset Manager files IPO papers with SEBI

• Sunil Singhania-led Abakkus Asset Manager has filed IPO papers with SEBI for an offer for sale of 15 million shares, with 35% of the issue reserved for retail investors.
• The company’s revenue rose from ₹479 crore in FY24 to ₹796 crore in FY26, while profit increased from ₹205 crore to ₹327 crore; its QAAUM stood at ₹41,409 crore in FY26.
• Source: CNBC TV18

B) Automobile:

1) Auto sector sees strong festive demand but rising inventory

• Auto sales are strong ahead of the festive season, with August retail sales up 17.5% year-on-year and passenger vehicle sales crossing 4 lakh units for the first time in August.
• Dealers have strong orders and new models, but car inventory has risen sharply to 38–40 days. Discounts remain limited, with some models offering discounts of up to ₹3.35 lakh.
• Source: Zee Business

C) Pharma:

1) Karnataka suspends pharma distributors over fake medicine racket

• Karnataka has suspended the licence of a Pfizer C&F depot and other pharma distributors after counterfeit medicines were found in the state. So far, 17 distributors have had their licences cancelled and 8 suspended.
• Authorities say the fake medicines were supplied to several hospitals, including life-saving drugs used for cancer treatment. An SIT is investigating the network and its alleged main operator.
• Source: ThePrint

D) Telecommunication:

1) DoT warns users about SIM card misuse and fraud

• DoT has warned that fraudulent SIM issuance, misuse of SIM cards and tampering with IMEI numbers can lead to up to 3 years in jail and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.
• Users should check all mobile numbers registered in their name through the Sanchar Saathi portal/app and avoid giving their SIM to others, as they could face legal trouble if it is misused.
• Source: Livemint

E) Agriculture:

1) Agriculture Ministry suspends officer over bribery complaint

• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered the immediate suspension of a Marketing Officer after complaints that he allegedly demanded bribes from two warehouses in Madhya Pradesh to release subsidy payments.
• The complaints alleged demands of ₹1 lakh from one warehouse and ₹60,000 from another, prompting the ministry to take immediate action.
• Source: Press Information Bureau

F) Energy:

1) LNG buyers seek alternative suppliers amid Gulf disruptions

• LNG buyers are looking for supplies from countries such as West Africa, Indonesia and Australia as disruptions in Gulf shipments have raised concerns about energy security.
• Asian buyers are also signing new long-term deals and exploring different supply routes, while companies are investing in gas projects across new regions to reduce dependence on a few suppliers.
• Source: ET EnergyWorld/Reuters

2) SECI’s 15-Year Journey Highlights India’s Renewable Energy Growth

• SECI, established in 2011 under the National Solar Mission, has expanded from solar projects to areas such as renewable power, green hydrogen, energy storage and other clean-energy markets.
• Through SECI, over 41 GW of renewable capacity has been commissioned, while power sale agreements exceed 67 GW and about ₹3.60 lakh crore of market investment has been enabled.
• Source: IBEF

G) Infrastructure:

1) India Becomes Asia’s 4th-Largest REIT Market

• India’s REIT market grew 62% to ₹1.64 lakh crore by March 2026, overtaking Hong Kong’s ₹1.61 lakh crore and becoming Asia’s fourth-largest REIT market.
• Strong office demand, new REIT listings and institutional investment supported the growth, with India’s six REITs holding around 178 million sq. ft of assets as of June 2026.
• Source: IBEF

Indian Economy and Government Initiatives:

• MoSPI released a comprehensive publication explaining the sources, methods and methodologies used for India’s new National Accounts series with the 2022-23 base year. It incorporates improved data sources, revised estimation methods and updated international standards to make GDP and other national accounts more robust and transparent.
• The government has dissolved the 37-year-old Digital Communications Commission, the Department of Telecommunications’ apex decision-making body that handled key telecom policy, spectrum pricing and financial matters.
• India’s dependence on Russian crude has increased significantly, with Russian oil accounting for over 50% of imports in July 2026, creating risks from possible US sanctions or tariffs. Replacing Russian supplies could raise costs because alternatives may differ in price, availability, freight, insurance and refinery compatibility.

Indian Stock market Update:

• Sensex fell 330 points to 74,529, while Nifty declined 85 points to 23,329 as investors booked profits at higher levels.
• IT was the biggest sectoral loser, down nearly 1%, while Media gained 1.2% and Realty rose 0.9%; broader midcap and smallcap indices also ended lower.

Bonus Briefs:

• European shares rose, with the STOXX 600 gaining 0.56%, as falling oil prices eased inflation concerns and improved investor sentiment.
• Technology stocks led gains, while lower fuel costs supported travel stocks; investors also watched the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting for signals on global trade.