General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - July 2025

Jul 2025

Dec 15, 2025

PNB Housing Finance Appoints Ajai Kumar Shukla as New MD & CEO

PNB Housing Finance appointed Ajai Kumar Shukla as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a five-year term.
Shukla's appointment came after the exit of former CEO Girish Kousgi, who resigned in October to take up a leadership role at IIFL Home Finance.
Shukla brings over 30 years of experience in housing and mortgage finance.

Cabinet approves Foreign Direct Investment in insurance to 100%

The Union Cabinet approved raising foreign direct investment in the insurance sector to 100 percent. The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025, expected in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session, seeks to deepen market penetration and stimulate growth and competition. It is among 13 legislations listed for the session. The move could expand foreign participation and enable larger capital inflows, potentially affecting pricing, product choices, and consumer protection in India’s insurance markets.

FDI cap in insurance raised to 100%
Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Winter Session
Part of 13 legislations listed for the session
Potential impact on penetration and competition
Regulatory and consumer protection considerations

Rupee hits record low; RBI intervention seen limiting losses

The Indian rupee weakened to a fresh record low near 90.65 against the U.S. dollar on 15 December 2025, as foreign outflows persisted and trade talks with the United States remained unsettled. Traders expect Reserve Bank of India (RBI) interventions to curb losses, though the currency may stay under pressure in the near term. Markets also anticipate updates on the November trade deficit and external sector data. The slide echoes regional currency weakness and could influence near‑term government policy and investor sentiment regarding Indian assets.

Rupee hits new low around 90.65/$ on 15 Dec 2025
RBI interventions expected to limit losses
Trade talks and external variables influence sentiment

Lakshadweep hosts first investors’ meet to unlock fisheries and aquaculture potential

Lakshadweep hosted its first investors’ meet focused on fisheries and aquaculture, held at Bangaram Island. The event, led by the Centre and Lakshadweep administration, aimed to attract private investment for sustainable marine sectors and bolster the blue economy. Official estimates envisage proposals worth around Rs 519 crore. Stakeholders from across the country explored opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, processing, and value addition. The meet showcased the islands’ potential for eco‑tourism and sustainable development, with a view to generating employment and improving local livelihoods while preserving ecological balance.

First investors’ meet in Lakshadweep
Focus: fisheries and aquaculture; blue economy
Investments proposed around Rs 519 crore
Organised by Centre and Lakshadweep administration
Aims: private investment, job creation, eco-tourism

BSE and DoP sign MoU to expand mutual fund access across India

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Department of Posts (DoP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable mutual fund distribution through India's vast postal network. DoP runs over 1.64 lakh post offices, enabling wide reach, investor education, and trust in mutual funds. BSE’s StAR MF platform will integrate with DoP channels to widen access, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The MoU was signed in Delhi by BSE MD & CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy and DoP General Manager Manisha Bansal Badal, with attendance from senior officials. The agreement aims to deepen financial inclusion and broaden product visibility.

MoU between BSE and Department of Posts
DoP network: 1.64 lakh post offices
Objective: last‑mile mutual fund distribution
Integration via BSE’s StAR MF platform
Signatories: Ramamurthy and Badal

Dec 14, 2025

Bank of Baroda Recognised as 'Best Bank in India' by the Banker

Bank of Baroda (BoB) was honoured as the 'Best Bank in India' at the Bank of the Year Awards 2025 – Asia-Pacific, organised by The Banker magazine, a respected publication of the Financial Times. This recognition highlights the bank's rapid transformation, innovative banking services, and its expanding role in strengthening India's financial ecosystem.
One of the major reasons for BoB's recognition is its successful rollout of phygital branches—a blend of physical and digital banking.

Dec 13, 2025

TCS to acquire Coastal Cloud for $700 million (all-cash)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Coastal Cloud, a US-based Salesforce consulting firm, in an all-cash deal valued at $700 million. Coastal Cloud, founded in 2012, provides AI-led advisory and business consulting to help clients reimagine sales, service, marketing, revenue, and commerce. With this acquisition, and the earlier ListEngage deal in October, TCS says its Salesforce practice ranks among the top five Salesforce consulting firms globally. Coastal Cloud was nominated to the Salesforce Partner Advisory Board, a move that supports product innovations and new service development. The deal deepens TCS’s cloud and AI advisory capabilities for enterprise clients.

$700 million all-cash deal for Coastal Cloud.
Coastal Cloud founded in 2012; specializes in Salesforce and AI-led advisory.
Follows October acquisition of ListEngage.
TCS positions itself among top five Salesforce consulting firms globally.
Coastal Cloud named to Salesforce Partner Advisory Board.

BMW names Milan Nedeljković as new CEO; start date 14 May 2026

BMW Group announced a leadership change, naming Milan Nedeljković as the new chief executive officer, replacing long-serving Oliver Zipse. Nedeljković will officially assume the top post on 14 May 2026, with a mandate running through 2031. The decision comes as BMW navigates rapid shifts in the global auto sector, including electric vehicle expansion, software-driven services, and new mobility ecosystems. The supervisory board said the transition will ensure continuity while pursuing the company’s strategy of performance, efficiency, and sustainable growth. Analysts note competition remains intense in key markets such as China and the United States, placing urgency on execution of the next phase.

Appointment of Milan Nedeljković as CEO; start date 14 May 2026.
Executive mandate to run through 2031.
Focus on electric vehicles and digital innovations.
Strategic emphasis on maintaining position in China and the United States.

Dec 12, 2025

Rupee hits record low; RBI intervenes to curb losses (11 December 2025)

The Indian rupee slipped to a record low near 90.46 per US dollar, prompting a cautious RBI intervention to stabilize markets. The currency, pressured by global trade tensions, export declines, and portfolio outflows, has faced continued volatility this year. Analysts expect limited intervention unless declines accelerate. The central bank’s move aims to temper fluctuation and provide some stability for importers and exporters amid a challenging macro backdrop. The episode highlights the sensitivity of India’s external sector to global dynamics and the ongoing need for prudent macro-financial management.

Rupee hits record low close to 90.46 per USD on 11 December 2025.
RBI reportedly intervenes to stabilize currency volatility.
Drivers include global trade tensions, export pressures, and outflows.
Policy signal: maintain stability while supporting macro fundamentals.

Dec 11, 2025

India and United States hold talks on Bilateral Trade Agreement in New Delhi

In New Delhi, Indian and American officials held talks to advance a Bilateral Trade Agreement. The discussions, led by India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer, focused on reducing trade barriers and deepening cooperation in goods, services, and investment. The talks also touched on relief from U.S. tariffs tied to Indian oil purchases and steps to ease agricultural imports. While officials described the discussions as constructive, they stressed that negotiations are ongoing. A successful agreement could broaden market access for Indian exporters and create closer economic alignment with the United States.

Bilateral Trade Agreement talks in New Delhi between India and the U.S.
Leaders: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and USTR Rick Switzer.
Topics: barriers, goods, services, investment, tariffs on Russian oil.
Officials described talks as constructive; negotiations ongoing.
Possible outcomes: greater market access for India; closer U.S.-India economic ties.

Rupee weakens against the dollar amid mixed global cues

The Indian rupee weakened to around 90.21 per U.S. dollar on December 11, 2025, pressured by broad dollar demand from corporate clients and net outflows. Market analysts noted the move came despite a supportive tone from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which cut rates but saw renewed currency pressures due to trade dynamics and external financing considerations. In New Delhi, negotiations with the United States on trade terms continued, and RBI-related liquidity management measures were discussed. Traders expect volatility to persist until tariff and trade negotiations show clearer progress, with investors watching domestic macro data and policy signals.

Rupee around 90.21 per USD on Dec 11, 2025.
Dollar Demand from corporates and outflows weigh on rupee.
Fed rate cut provided some relief; broader pressures persist.
India–U.S. trade talks ongoing; RBI liquidity measures discussed.
Market volatility linked to tariff and trade progress.

Amul extends regional sponsorship with Argentina Football Association

Dairy brand Amul announced the extension of its partnership with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) as Official Regional Sponsor for another season. This marks Amul’s continued presence in Argentine football during the World Cup 2026 period and makes it the first Indian regional sponsor in Argentine football since 2022. The sponsorship aims to boost Amul’s brand visibility in football-loving markets and to promote mutual marketing opportunities across the region, reflecting growing cross-border brand collaborations between Indian companies and Latin American football ecosystems.

Amul extends sponsorship with Argentina Football Association (AFA).
Official Regional Sponsor for World Cup 2026 period.
First Indian regional sponsor in Argentine football since 2022.
Aims to boost brand visibility through football partnerships.
Signs continued cross-border collaboration between India and Argentina.

Amazon to invest USD 35 billion in India by 2030

US-based technology and retail group Amazon announced a plan to invest USD 35 billion in India by 2030. Amazon’s Senior Vice President for Emerging Markets, Amit Agarwal, made the disclosure at the sixth edition of the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi. The investment supports India’s growth vision, labeled Viksit Bharat, and targets expansion of artificial intelligence capabilities, logistics infrastructure, and support for small businesses. The company projects the move will create about 1 million direct, indirect, and seasonal jobs across the country. The commitment reinforces India’s role in Amazon’s global expansion strategy and its aim to deepen digital commerce and cloud services in the Indian market.

USD 35 billion investment planned in India by 2030.
Announced by Amit Agarwal at Amazon Smbhav Summit, New Delhi.
Focus on AI capabilities, logistics, and SME support.
Projected to create about 1 million jobs (direct, indirect, seasonal).
Aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat growth vision.

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