RBI Unveils Master Direction for Payment Aggregators
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on September 16, 2025, released a comprehensive Master Direction for the regulation of Payment Aggregators (PAs). This new directive consolidates existing guidelines and introduces fresh regulatory measures for online, offline, and cross-border payment aggregation businesses. The move aims to streamline compliance, bolster customer protection, and enhance oversight of entities handling substantial volumes of digital transactions. The regulations categorize payment aggregators into groups such as PA-Online, PA-Physical, and PA-Cross-Border to regulate their specific activities. Non-bank PAs are now required to seek RBI authorization, maintain a minimum net worth of ā¹15 crore at the time of application, and increase it to ā¹25 crore by the end of the third financial year. Banks, however, are exempt from separate authorization for providing PA services. The guidelines also mandate robust IT and data security infrastructure for PAs, along with annual security audits by CERT-In empanelled auditors.
Indian Stock Markets Close Higher Amidst Global Optimism
Indian stock markets concluded Tuesday's trading session with significant gains. The BSE Sensex rose by 594.95 points (0.73%) to close at 82,380.69, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 169.9 points (0.68%) to finish at 25,239.1. This positive momentum was largely driven by favorable global cues, optimism surrounding ongoing India-US trade talks, and expectations of a 25-basis point interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. Among the top gainers on the Sensex were Kotak Bank, L&T, Maruti, M&M, and Bharti Airtel. The Nifty Auto index led sectoral rallies, rising 1.44%, followed by Nifty Realty at 1.07%. Midcap and Smallcap indices also saw gains, reflecting broad-based investor confidence.
India-US Trade Talks Progress Towards Early Deal
Discussions between chief negotiators from India and the United States on a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) were held in New Delhi on September 16, 2025. Both sides described the seven-hour meeting as "positive and forward-looking," agreeing to intensify efforts to achieve an early conclusion of a "mutually beneficial" trade deal. The talks aimed to push forward the trade agreement despite recent strains, including tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods. This meeting marked a crucial step in resolving trade tensions and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Carlsberg Considers IPO for Indian Business
Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S is reportedly exploring an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for its Indian business arm, initiating discussions with investment banks to evaluate listing options. This move underscores Carlsberg's strong intent to capitalize on one of its fastest-growing markets. The Indian subsidiary reported significant financial improvements in FY24, with revenues exceeding ā¹8,000 crore and profits rising by 60% to ā¹323 crore.
AI to Boost Indian Economy by $2 Trillion by 2035: NITI Aayog
According to NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to add nearly $2 trillion to India's economy by 2035. Speaking at the launch of the Roadmap for AI for Viksit Bharat, Subrahmanyam emphasized AI's transformative role in economic growth and job creation, predicting it would generate new employment opportunities rather than causing job losses. The report, "AI for Viksit Bharat: The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth," suggests AI adoption could bridge nearly half of the growth gap required to reach an aspirational GDP of $8.3 trillion by 2035.
RBI Expected to Cut Rates in October and December: Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley anticipates that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will lower policy rates by 25 basis points each in the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings in October and December. This projection is based on the expectation that inflation will continue to undershoot the target, providing the central bank with room for monetary easing. The report forecasts headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation to average 2.4% year-on-year in FY26, significantly below the RBI's 4% target.
India's Trade Deficit Narrows Due to Surging Exports
India's trade deficit contracted by over 54% to $9.9 billion, down from $21.7 billion in August 2024, primarily due to a sharp rise in merchandise exports, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.