FICCI FRAMES 2026 held in Mumbai with industry focus
The 26th edition of FICCI FRAMES 2026 took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, bringing together leaders from the media and entertainment sectors. Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the convention highlighted developments in films, television, animation, gaming, and digital media. The event featured panel discussions, product showcases, and networking sessions designed to shape India’s creative economy. The theme, 'India’s Media Moment: Creating Value in an Age of Infinite Content,' focused on monetization, audience engagement, and new distribution models. Delegates from government, industry, and academia discussed policy support, investment opportunities, and collaboration across platforms to accelerate growth.
26th FICCI FRAMES held in Mumbai, 2026
Sectors covered: films, TV, animation, gaming, digital media
Theme focuses on value creation in content abundance
Panels and showcases for industry growth
Policy and investment discussions with government and industry
Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank
Apple Pay launched its digital payment service in India in collaboration with Axis Bank, marking a significant step in the country’s mobile wallet ecosystem. The service enables contactless payments through Apple devices by adding eligible cards to Apple Wallet. It uses tokenisation, device-level security, and biometric authentication to protect payment information. Merchants adopting the system can offer faster checkouts, while customers gain convenient access to a wide range of cards. Axis Bank will issue cards compatible with Apple Pay, and partnerships with additional banks are expected. The launch aims to expand digital payments in India and spur financial inclusion. The rollout will cover major metros first, with gradual expansion nationwide.
Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank
Contactless payments via Apple Wallet and tokenisation
Axis Bank to issue compatible cards; more banks expected
Aims to expand digital payments and financial inclusion
Initial rollout targets major metros
Sep 29, 2026
Gulbarga Tur Dal GI-tagged export to Maldives begins
Gulbarga Tur Dal, a Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged agricultural product from Karnataka, was exported to the Maldives with support from APEDA. About 1 metric tonne of Gulbarga Tur Dal was shipped as part of efforts to expand global markets for India’s GI-tagged products. The initiative aims to provide greater opportunities for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to participate in international trade and to diversify export markets beyond traditional buyers. APEDA emphasized that such exports foster value addition, raise farmer incomes, and showcase Karnataka's agricultural heritage on a global stage.
Product: Gulbarga Tur Dal (GI-tagged)
Export destination: Maldives
Quantity: ~1 metric tonne
Support: APEDA
Aim: Expand GI exports and farmer opportunities
NMDC inaugurates ₹5,427 crore iron ore processing project in Chhattisgarh
NMDC Ltd. inaugurated a major integrated iron ore processing project valued at ₹5,427 crore in September 2026, located in Chhattisgarh. The package includes an iron ore processing plant at Bacheli, a 15 million tonne per annum slurry pipeline, and a 2 million tonne per annum pellet plant at Nagarnar. The facilities will enable NMDC to process fines and slimes from the Bailadila mines into concentrate, strengthening India’s steel sector and reducing ore losses during transport. Officials anticipate improved ore quality, enhanced logistics efficiency, and higher export potential as part of a broader push to expand domestic mineral value chains and steel production.
Investment: ₹5,427 crore
Locations: Bacheli (plant) and Nagarnar (pellet plant)
India ranks 31st in WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
India was ranked 31st among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026, released on 25 September 2026. The country rose from 39th position in 2024, as improvements in tourism infrastructure, accessibility, and destination resilience supported growth in travel and tourism. Japan topped the index, with several advanced economies following. The report underscores ongoing policy reforms, investment in hospitality, and digital-enabled services as key drivers. Analysts say the ranking provides a benchmark to guide investment, marketing, and policy decisions to sustain deepening tourism-led growth in the coming years.
Release date: 25 September 2026
India rank: 31/110
Previous rank (2024): 39
Top country: Japan
Implication: Guides policy and investment decisions
Sep 28, 2026
Fourth UP International Trade Show opens in Greater Noida
The fourth edition of the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) is being held at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The five-day event, themed 'Ultimate Sourcing Begins Here,' aims to connect entrepreneurs, manufacturers and exporters from Uttar Pradesh with global markets. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were scheduled to inaugurate the event, which runs until 29 September 2026. Delegates from across the state and country showcase products in textiles, handicrafts and engineering, seeking partnerships, investment and export orders. The event is expected to boost UP’s trade ecosystem and SME growth.
UPITS is a five-day event in Greater Noida, themed 'Ultimate Sourcing Begins Here'.
Inauguration was planned by Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath; runs until 29 September 2026.
Participants include UP-based entrepreneurs, manufacturers and exporters aiming for global markets.
Sep 27, 2026
Banks brace for strike; SBI issues advisory on possible service disruptions
Ahead of the UFBU strike, State Bank of India issued an advisory about potential service disruptions during the 28–30 September 2026 window. The advisory asks customers to plan ahead for essential transactions and to use digital banking channels where possible. The move aligns with other banks preparing contingency measures to maintain operations. The strike is part of ongoing negotiations on a five-day banking week and related wage issues. Regulators and the government have urged calm and continuity of services to minimize inconvenience for citizens and businesses.
SBI advisory issued for 28–30 Sep 2026.
Digital banking encouraged to reduce disruption.
Strike tied to broader five-day banking week demand.
Regulators urge service continuity.
UFBU bank strike set for 28–30 September 2026; banks prepare contingency plans
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a three-day nationwide bank strike from 28 to 30 September 2026, with a potential for further action if negotiations do not progress. Several banks, including the State Bank of India, have issued advisories for customers about possible disruptions to branches and some digital services. In response, authorities have asked banks to ensure essential services and to mitigate customer impact. A five-day banking week remains a central demand accompanying broader wage and working-condition considerations. Industry experts warn the disruption could affect retail transactions and corporate payments across the country.
Strike dates: 28–30 September 2026.
Organizer: UFBU (bank unions).
Bank advisories warn of service disruptions.
Main demand: five-day banking week.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance renamed to ICICI Life Insurance Limited; ROC approves
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited has renamed its corporate entity to ICICI Life Insurance Limited. The Registrar of Companies, Central Processing Centre under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved the name change with effect from 22 September 2026. The company has informed stock exchanges, depositories, its registrar and share transfer agent, and other regulatory authorities about the new name. The rebranding aligns the brand with the post-reclassification promoter structure and the company’s new identity. The legal entity will continue to offer existing life insurance products and services. It will complete all required updates to branding, legal documents, and listing records in coming weeks, subject to regulatory filings.
Name change approved by RoC effective 22 September 2026.
New corporate name: ICICI Life Insurance Limited.
Regulatory filings and listings to be updated by the company.
Changes align branding with promoter structure.
Sep 26, 2026
Maruti Suzuki commissions first Green Hydrogen electrolyser plant at Manesar, Haryana
On 26 September 2026, Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced the commissioning of its first Green Hydrogen electrolyser plant at the Manesar manufacturing complex in Haryana. The 300-kilowatt facility operates as a pilot to produce green hydrogen and test its use in automobile manufacturing, supporting cleaner energy adoption on the shop floor. The project aligns with wider national and industry efforts to reduce emissions in manufacturing and mobility. The electrolyser splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, enabling potential future integration with production lines or hydrogen-powered processes in the plant. Company officials noted the plant's role as a learning platform for scalable, carbon-free manufacturing technologies.