24 Dec 2025

Paytm Arab Payments, the UAE-based fintech arm of One97 Communications, has approved the issuance of equity shares to Abbar Global Opportunities Holdings Limited, resulting in a 49 per cent stake sale valued at around INR 19 crore. Following the transaction, the company will operate as a 51 per cent owned subsidiary while continuing under the Paytm group. Abbar Global is backed by Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, bringing strong local market presence to the partnership. The move is aimed at expanding Paytm's merchant payments and financial services offerings in the UAE. Separately, Paytm has approved new subsidiaries in Indonesia and Luxembourg, supporting its overseas growth strategy.Read more

24 Dec 2025

Premji Invest has acquired a 2.61% stake in National Highways Infra Trust through open market transactions, investing around INR 754 crore. The purchase was executed via Prazim Trading and Investment Company, which bought over 5 crore units at an average price of INR 149.06 per unit on the NSE. Vidyaniti LLP sold the same number of units at the same price. NHIT units closed slightly higher after the deal. The trust, sponsored by NHAI, was set up in 2021 under the National Monetisation Pipeline.Read more

24 Dec 2025

Lucknow has introduced a new Property Tax Management System aimed at simplifying tax collection, improving compliance and enhancing transparency for property owners. The digital platform will allow residents and businesses to view, assess and pay property taxes online, while providing municipal authorities with better tools to manage records, track payments and reduce disputes. Officials say the system will reduce paperwork, speed up assessments and make it easier to update property data, benefiting both taxpayers and the civic body. The launch is part of broader efforts to modernise municipal revenue systems and strengthen urban governance, with authorities expecting improved efficiency and higher collection rates through technology-led reforms.Read more

23 Dec 2025

Elon Musk's satellite internet company Starlink has taken a significant step in its Indian expansion by leasing its first northern India office in New Delhi, signalling tangible progress in establishing a local footprint ahead of a commercial launch. The company has secured a 50-seat flexible workspace through premium provider CorporatEdge at the World Trade Centre in Nauroji Nagar, a location that has also attracted other multinational tech firms. This move reflects Starlink's strategy to position its team close to the national capital's business and regulatory corridors and aligns with broader preparations for satellite broadband services in India, as the company builds operational and business infrastructure ahead of market entry.Read more

23 Dec 2025

LIC Housing Finance has lowered interest rates on new home loans, with revised rates starting from 7.15%, effective earlier this week. The reduction applies to all fresh loan sanctions and comes in the backdrop of the recent 25 basis point repo rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee. The move is aimed at improving housing affordability and supporting buyer sentiment at a time when homebuyers are carefully reassessing purchase decisions amid broader economic uncertainty.Read more

23 Dec 2025

Knowledge Realty Trust and Embassy Office Parks REIT are set to raise a total of around INR 21 billion through bond issuances, reflecting a surge in REIT activity in India. Knowledge Realty Trust will issue bonds maturing in four years, while Embassy Office Parks REIT may opt for five-year or longer notes with put and call options. If completed, December will be the first month when all five listed REITs have accessed the bond market. So far, REITs have raised INR 112.5 billion in 2025, nearly double last year's total.Read more

23 Dec 2025

State Bank of India has announced plans to reassess its construction finance policy for residential housing projects to strengthen lending support while managing risk more effectively. The lender's chairman has said the review will focus on enhancing accountability, transparency and project governance as key criteria for financing decisions. While SBI currently has minimal exposure to construction finance in the residential segment, it is exploring ways to structure and price credit that better reflects project viability and market dynamics.Read more

23 Dec 2025

Bank of India is planning to raise up to INR 100 billion through a 10-year infrastructure bond issue, according to bankers. The state-run lender has invited coupon and commitment bids, with bidding scheduled for December 23. The issue includes a base size of INR 50 billion and a greenshoe option of the same amount. The bonds will carry a AA+ rating from Crisil and Care Ratings, while the coupon will be finalised through bidding. The bank has not officially commented on the proposed issuance.Read more

23 Dec 2025

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed USD 4.3 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2025, targeting skill development, renewable energy, urban infrastructure, healthcare, and ecotourism. About one-third of the funding focuses on human and social development, including USD 846 million for the PM-SETU programme to modernise Industrial Training Institutes. Renewable energy and urban infrastructure receive significant allocations, with USD 650 million for rooftop solar and USD 775 million for urban services in Assam, Kerala, Sikkim, and West Bengal. The funds also support regional rail and metro expansions, state-level healthcare, and technical guidance for policymaking.Read more

23 Dec 2025

The Haryana government has extended its one-time settlement scheme for the recovery of pending External Development Charges (EDC) from real estate developers, while introducing stricter financial conditions. The extended window allows developers additional time to regularise long-outstanding dues, but requires higher upfront payments and imposes increased interest liabilities to discourage delays. Full settlement now mandates payment of the entire principal along with accrued and penal interest, while partial settlement involves a significant upfront component followed by installments carrying interest. The move is aimed at accelerating EDC collections, reducing legacy disputes, and ensuring steady funding for urban infrastructure projects across rapidly growing cities and development corridors in the state.Read more