Shine Jacob, Aathira Varier, Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Shine Jacob, Aathira Varier, Ishita Ayan Dutt

VinFast to roll out e-taxi service in 5 metros

VinFast to roll out e-taxi service in 5 metros

Rediff.com   13 hours ago

GSM, which is potentially eyeing a Hong Kong listing and was recently valued at $20 billion, operates on a distinct model -- it owns the e-taxis and employs the drivers, while also supplying cars to independent drivers or fleet operators.

ITC's Cloud Kitchens Take Quick Commerce Route

ITC's Cloud Kitchens Take Quick Commerce Route

Rediff.com   14 hours ago

Through its cloud kitchens, ITC is building a portfolio of shorter shelf-life offerings and selling them through quick commerce platforms.

ITC's profit flat on labour Code effect

ITC's profit flat on labour Code effect

Rediff.com   3 days ago

Cigarette-to-soap conglomerate ITC on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit (attributable to owners) of Rs 4,931.19 crore for the third quarter (October-December/Q3) of 2025-26 (FY26), affected by a one-time provision related to the new labour codes and a base effect from an exceptional item in Q3 of 2024-25. In the year-ago period, net profit had stood at Rs 4,934.8 crore.

Kerala: First State To Have State 'Bacteria'

Kerala: First State To Have State 'Bacteria'

Rediff.com   4 days ago

'We have tags of state animals and birds. However, the invisible world of microbes is doing a lot of things for us in nature, not just for human beings but for the entire life.'

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Duty hikes to dent cigarette volumes by 6-8% in FY27: Crisil Ratings

Rediff.com   4 days ago

The domestic cigarette industry is expected to see a 6-8 per cent volume contraction next fiscal following the imposition of additional excise duties and increase in goods and services tax (GST) rates from February 1, Crisil Ratings said on Wednesday.

God's Own Country Takes EV Ride To Top Slot

God's Own Country Takes EV Ride To Top Slot

Rediff.com   6 days ago

Kerala has overtaken more industrialised states in personal electric vehicle adoption, driven by strong middle-class uptake, policy support, and charging infrastructure.

New labour Codes raise operating expenses of pvt banks, insurers

New labour Codes raise operating expenses of pvt banks, insurers

Rediff.com   7 days ago

The new labour Codes, notified by the central government in November 2025, have pushed up employee costs for private-sector banks and insurance companies, with these firms reporting higher operating expenses in the October-December quarter (Q3FY26) due to the statutory impact of the new labour Codes.

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2026

For the first time, there will be an Indian connection to a crewed Moon mission.

Steel prices hiked again amid rising exports

Steel prices hiked again amid rising exports

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2026

The imposition of safeguard duty, an uptick in exports, and an increase in input cost are driving steel prices higher. The latest round of price increase took place on Friday, with some steel mills increasing hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices by ~500-750 a tonne, according to price reporting and market intelligence firm BigMint. HRC is a benchmark for flat steel.

Positive biz outlook nudges banks to hire for sales growth

Positive biz outlook nudges banks to hire for sales growth

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2026

Banks are witnessing a surge in hiring for sales staff in secured segments such as home, vehicle and gold loans as compared to the recovery category, driven by a boost in business growth, and a host of regulatory measures aimed at improving ease of doing business, according to industry experts.

After Yes stake buy, Japan's SMBC gets RBI nod for wholly owned subsidiary

After Yes stake buy, Japan's SMBC gets RBI nod for wholly owned subsidiary

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2026

Months after picking up 24.21 per cent stake in private sector lender Yes Bank, Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has received the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) in-principle approval for setting up a wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) in India.

Tamil Nadu bets big on India's first full-stack sovereign AI park

Tamil Nadu bets big on India's first full-stack sovereign AI park

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2026

The sovereign AI park will be a first-of-its-kind, purpose-built district in India, integrating AI compute infrastructure, secure data frameworks, model research labs, and AI innovation clusters, along with a dedicated institute for AI in governance.

How Much Money Will Jana Nayagan Make?

How Much Money Will Jana Nayagan Make?

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2026

When it eventually releases, Jana Nayagan is expected to have an opening day collection close to -- or even above -- Rs 100 crore, largely because it is being promoted as Vijay's final movie before he focuses entirely on politics.

Can't treat compliance as a quarter-end activity: RBI DG

Can't treat compliance as a quarter-end activity: RBI DG

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2026

Banks cannot treat compliance as a quarter-end activity, and must have stronger operational discipline and data governance throughout the year, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Swaminathan J said in a speech at the Third Annual Global Conference of the College of Supervisors.

Darjeeling tea output may have hit a new low in 2025

Darjeeling tea output may have hit a new low in 2025

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2026

The famed Darjeeling tea may have slip to a new production low in 2025, as changing weather patterns, a shortage of pluckers and mounting economic stress weigh on the region's gardens.

GST rejig helps life insurers' NBP surge 40% in December

GST rejig helps life insurers' NBP surge 40% in December

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2026

The life insurance industry recorded nearly 40 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in new business premiums (NBP), aided by the rationalisation of goods and services tax (GST) on individual life insurance premiums, which has made policies more affordable for consumers.

Bajaj Finserv completes Allianz's stake buyout in its insurance arms

Bajaj Finserv completes Allianz's stake buyout in its insurance arms

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2026

Bajaj Finserv on Thursday said it has completed the acquisition of Allianz SE's stake in Bajaj General Insurance and Bajaj Life Insurance, worth Rs 12,190 crore and Rs 9,200 crore, respectively. Bajaj Finserv, along with Bajaj Holdings & Investment and Jamnalal Sons, acquired the foreign insurer's 23 per cent stake in the businesses, marking the largest transaction in the Indian insurance sector.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Mercedes-Benz, BMW eyeing India's luxe realty sector

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2026

According to multiple sources close to the development, Mercedes-Benz is already in talks with multiple developers in Gurugram for a luxury branded residence project.

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2026

The committee formed under the Life Insurance Council to review the commission structure in the life insurance sector has recommended capping distributor commissions or deferring them to ease acquisition costs. The recommendations will be sent to the insurance regulator -- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai).

GST rate cuts spur credit growth in banking sector in Q3 FY26

GST rate cuts spur credit growth in banking sector in Q3 FY26

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2026

Banking sector has witnessed healthy growth in advances in the third quarter of financial year 2026 (Q3FY26) against the same period last year, as the full impact of goods and service tax (GST) rate cuts drove growth. Most of the lenders saw their credit growth outpace the deposit growth in the quarter.