Top 20 India & World Business News Stories
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Here are 20 major business, economy, markets, corporate and trade developments making headlines in India and around the world today.
🇮🇳 India Business
1. RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.5% in First Hike Since 2023
The Reserve Bank of India raised the benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, its first increase since February 2023. The RBI also shifted its policy stance from neutral to “calibrated tightening”, reflecting concerns over rising inflation risks, oil prices and global financial conditions.
2. RBI Raises FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.1%
Alongside the rate hike, the RBI increased its projection for India’s FY27 GDP growth to 7.1% from 6.7%. The stronger growth outlook provides a counterpoint to concerns about inflation, energy prices and tighter monetary conditions.
3. Indian Stock Market Suffers Its Sharpest Fall in Months
The Sensex plunged 1,045 points to 71,593, its lowest level since February 2024, while the Nifty 50 fell 1.64% to 22,231.80, an approximately 18-month low. All major sectoral indices ended in negative territory as investors reacted to higher crude prices, the RBI’s policy shift and continued foreign selling.
4. Foreign Investors Continue Heavy Selling
Foreign portfolio investors have sold heavily from Indian equities, with net selling reaching around ₹46,990 crore over nine sessions and year-to-date outflows hitting a record roughly $30.4 billion. Rising US yields, a weaker rupee and concerns over India’s earnings outlook are contributing to the pressure.
5. Rupee Falls Close to Record Low
The Indian rupee weakened to around ₹96.78 per US dollar, its weakest level since May and just above its previous record low. Higher crude prices and the RBI’s more hawkish policy stance are adding pressure to the currency.
6. RBI Governor Says Rupee May Be Undervalued
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the rupee could be undervalued, while stressing that currency markets can behave irrationally. He indicated that the central bank would act to ensure orderly movements in the exchange rate rather than target a particular level.
7. TCS Kicks Off India’s Q2 Earnings Season With Strong Profit Growth
Tata Consultancy Services reported a 15% year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹13,884 crore for the September quarter. Revenue rose about 11.8% to ₹74,525 crore, while annualised AI revenue crossed $3 billion, highlighting the growing importance of AI services to India’s largest IT company.
8. TCS Declares ₹12 Interim Dividend
TCS announced an interim dividend of ₹12 per share, with October 14 set as the record date. The company’s board also highlighted major technology partnerships, including work involving Porsche and Best Buy.
9. AI Becomes Increasingly Important for India’s IT Sector
TCS’s latest results underline the rapid shift toward AI-led technology spending. Its annualised AI revenue increased from $2.6 billion in the previous quarter to $3.1 billion, although sequential constant-currency growth was only 0.5%, indicating that traditional IT demand remains challenging.
10. Bharti Airtel Raises Postpaid Tariffs
Bharti Airtel has increased selected postpaid tariffs by roughly 2.9%–3.1%, with the new pricing taking effect from October 8. The company is also bundling benefits such as international roaming with some plans as it seeks to improve average revenue per user.
11. Ola Electric Sets ₹27 Price for ₹1,000-Crore Rights Issue
Ola Electric has fixed the price for its proposed ₹1,000-crore rights issue at ₹27 per share, around 26% below the market price cited in today’s market reports. The fundraising comes as the electric-vehicle company works to strengthen its balance sheet and expand operations.
12. GST Council Discusses Structural “GST 2.0” Changes
The 57th GST Council meeting is focusing on structural reforms, including changes to enforcement and decriminalisation provisions. Proposed measures include raising the threshold for criminal prosecution and reducing penalties for certain minor compliance violations, potentially easing the regulatory burden on businesses.
13. UPI Merchant Fee Rollout May Be Delayed
The planned implementation of merchant fees on certain UPI transactions could be pushed from October 15 to January 1, 2027, according to current market reporting. The possible delay would give merchants and payment companies additional time to prepare.
14. Indian Banks Prepare for Higher Lending Rates
Following the RBI’s repo-rate increase, several banks including Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda have begun adjusting lending rates. The move could gradually increase borrowing costs for households and businesses if the tighter monetary stance persists.
🌍 World Business
15. Oil Surges Above $105 as Middle East Supply Risks Intensify
Brent crude jumped roughly 5% to above $105 a barrel amid renewed attacks on shipping around the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The oil rally is raising fears that prolonged energy inflation could force central banks to maintain or increase interest rates.
16. Hurricane Threat Adds to Global Oil-Supply Concerns
The threat from Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted companies including Shell and Chevron to shut some production. Combined with Middle East supply concerns, the weather disruption is adding another source of volatility to global energy markets.
17. Global Bond Yields Climb as Inflation Fears Return
The oil surge is pushing government bond yields higher worldwide. The US 10-year Treasury yield is around 5.32%, while Britain’s 10-year gilt yield reached about 5.52%, its highest level since 2007. Investors are reassessing expectations for future interest-rate cuts.
18. Wall Street Heads Lower After Record Highs
US stock futures fell today as higher oil prices and Treasury yields weighed on investor sentiment. Technology stocks including Amazon, Tesla and Nvidia came under pressure, while markets await the next major wave of corporate earnings.
19. Samsung’s Earnings Fail to Lift Asian Technology Stocks
Samsung Electronics’ preliminary results showed a substantial increase in quarterly profit, but the figures were reportedly below market expectations. The disappointing reaction weighed on memory-chip stocks and contributed to weakness in the broader technology sector.
20. Massive AI Financing Plans Raise New Debt-Market Concerns
Investors are increasingly watching the enormous financing requirements of the AI boom. Reports that Broadcom is arranging around $50 billion in financing linked to OpenAI, while Oracle is also seeking additional funding, have raised questions about how much corporate debt the technology sector can absorb without pushing borrowing costs higher.
📈 Biggest Business Themes Today
RBI rate hike • Indian market sell-off • rupee weakness • record FPI outflows • TCS earnings • AI-driven IT growth • GST reforms • UPI changes • crude oil above $105 • Middle East supply risks • global bond yields • US markets • semiconductor stocks • massive AI financing.
