General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - August 2025

Aug 2025

Feb 21, 2026

Amazon surpasses Walmart in 2025 revenue, becoming the largest company by annual revenue in 2026

Amazon has reportedly surpassed Walmart to become the world’s largest company by annual revenue for 2025. Amazon reported 717 billion dollars in sales for fiscal year 2025, edging past Walmart’s 713.2 billion dollars for the 12 months ending 31 January 2026. The milestone underscores Amazon’s expansion beyond retail into cloud computing and AI-driven infrastructure, reshaping the global corporate landscape. Analysts note that the shift reflects evolving business models, logistics networks, and data-driven strategies that broaden Amazon’s revenue base beyond traditional retail activities.

Amazon reports 717 billion USD in 2025 revenue
Walmart reports 713.2 billion USD for year ending 31 Jan 2026
Amazon overtakes Walmart as largest company by revenue
Growth driven by cloud, AI and infrastructure services
Significant implications for global retail and tech sectors
Marks a major shift in corporate rankings

Feb 19, 2026

Top-5 richest cities in India by GDP 2026

An analysis of gross domestic product places Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai among the five richest Indian cities by GDP for 2026. The piece discusses how these cities have developed diversified economies—finance and services in Mumbai and Delhi; manufacturing and IT in Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata—driving job creation, tax incomes, and infrastructure investment. It notes continued urban growth and the need for sound urban planning to manage congested transport, housing affordability, and resource demand while sustaining growth. The ranking highlights economic disparities and growth potential across major Indian metros in 2026. The analysis underscores investment opportunities in fintech, logistics, and smart city initiatives.

Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai top GDP 2026.
Economies span finance, services, manufacturing, IT.
Urban planning and housing affordability challenges noted.
Growth opportunities in fintech, logistics, smart cities.
Shows widening disparities among major metros.

Feb 18, 2026

Kotak Mahindra and DCB Bank Name New Directors

Kotak Mahindra Bank announced the appointment of Ramesh Iyer as an additional and independent director for a four‑year term, effective 17 February 2026. The bank also noted that Dr. Ashok Gulati will retire as an independent director on 5 March 2026. Separately, DCB Bank approved Suhail Nathani as an independent director for a three‑year term, effective 18 February 2026. The changes reflect ongoing governance refresh in major Indian lenders and align with broader board‑level reforms in the sector. ([newindianexpress.com](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2026/Feb/06/hyderabad-set-to-host-bioasia-summit-2026?utm_source=openai))

Ramesh Iyer appointed for four years
Dr. Ashok Gulati to retire in March 2026
DCB Bank appoints Suhail Nathani as independent director
Board refresh aligns with governance norms
Effective dates: 17–18 February 2026

IOB Launches Online Death Claim Settlement Portal

Indian Overseas Bank launched an Online Death Claim Settlement Portal to provide a secure, time‑bound digital solution for families and legal heirs. The portal centralizes the death claim process, enabling claim initiation and completion online with status tracking. The move reflects the bank’s digital transformation while emphasising a compassionate, human‑centred approach during sensitive times. By offering a one‑stop platform, IOB aims to improve transparency, reduce processing times, and simplify documentation. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize public sector banking through end‑to‑end online services. ([metroindia.net](https://www.metroindia.net/news/articlenews/hyderabad-to-host-bioasia--35143?utm_source=openai))

Online Death Claim Portal launched
Secure, end‑to‑end digital process
Aims to reduce processing times
Improves transparency for claimants
Part of broader digitisation in banking

Feb 14, 2026

Deepak Gupta named CMD of GAIL; leadership transition aligned with March 2026 start

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has appointed Deepak Gupta, Director (Projects) at GAIL (India) Ltd, as Chairman and Managing Director of the company. The regulatory filing states that Gupta assumes charge on or after 1 March 2026, date to be confirmed. This leadership change comes as India expands its natural gas network and city gas projects. Gupta is expected to drive project execution, strategic planning for LNG imports, and network expansion while upholding corporate governance and sound financial management at GAIL. The appointment signals continuity amid ongoing energy infrastructure development.

Appointer: MoPNG
New CMD: Deepak Gupta, GAIL (India) Ltd
Effective date: on or after 1 March 2026
Role: leadership of GAIL, project execution
Context: expansion of gas networks and LNG planning
Governance: emphasis on corporate discipline

Feb 13, 2026

RBI Digital Payments Index Soars to 516.76 – A Big Win for India’s Cashless Economy

India’s digital economy continues to expand as the RBI Digital Payments Index (DPI) for September 2025 surged to 516.76, up from 493.22 in March 2025. The RBI attributes the rise to gains in Payment Performance and Payment Enablers, with the DPI published since January 2021 and base year 2018. The latest figure reflects continued growth in digital payment infrastructure and rising consumer adoption of online transactions across the country. Analysts see the DPI as a barometer of financial inclusion, merchant readiness, and the impact of government and private sector digitization initiatives on everyday economic activity.

DPI rose to 516.76 in September 2025 from 493.22 in March 2025.
Growth driven by Payment Performance and Payment Enablers.
Base year is 2018; DPI published since 2021.
Indicates expanding digital payment infrastructure.
Reflects financial inclusion and merchant readiness.

India becomes world’s second-largest smartphone market by active users

India has emerged as the world’s second‑largest market for active smartphone users, trailing only China. A 2025 Counterpoint Research report shows India surpassing several nations, with more than 740 million active smartphones currently in use out of a 1.45 billion population. The term active installed base reflects devices in regular use rather than shipments. The growth underscores India’s expanding digital economy, device longevity, and a robust mobile ecosystem. Analysts highlight implications for telecom, e‑commerce, and content platforms as consumer engagement deepens and connectivity expands across urban and rural regions.

India has over 740 million active smartphones.
Country remains second to China in active smartphone base.
Active base equals devices in regular use, not shipments.
Implications for digital economy and telecom sectors.

RBI Digital Payments Index rises to 516.76 in September 2025

India’s RBI Digital Payments Index rose to 516.76 in September 2025, up from 493.22 in March 2025, signaling continued digitization of payments nationwide. The RBI attributes the rise to improvements in payment performance and enabling infrastructure. Since its start in January 2021, with March 2018 as the base year, the index tracks the overall uptake of digital payments across the economy. The growth suggests broader consumer adoption of online transactions, greater use of digital wallets and cards, and expanding financial inclusion across urban and rural areas.

DPI reached 516.76 in September 2025.
Rise driven by payment performance and infrastructure gains.
Index uses a base period with March 2018 as reference.
Indicates growing digital payments across India.

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