NETWORK FEES
Rs 35 lakh revenue from Rs 500 service: Two Hyderabad childhood friends built an app helping NRIs hire personal assistants in India
Two Hyderabad childhood friends, Nishant Parepalli and Shashank Veer Pothaduri, launched Shoppin in 2023. The startup connects customers in over 20 countries with personal shoppers and assistants in India. Starting at Rs 500, its services include shopping, property checks and paperwork. The company reported Rs 33 lakh revenue in FY26 and Rs 35 lakh between April and October 2026.
Credit guarantee fund for small units extended by five years
The Union Cabinet has approved a five-year extension for the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units and the Stand-Up India scheme. An allocation of ₹5,000 crore will support micro units, while ₹4,111 crore funds will assist Stand-Up India initiatives. The Cabinet also approved an 8.5 km extension of the Noida-Greater Noida Metro corridor to improve connectivity. Eligible borrowers can access loans for new enterprises to promote economic growth and entrepreneurship.
Cabinet approves extending credit guarantee fund for micro units, and Stand up India scheme; Aqua Line metro rail corridors extension gets nod
The Union Cabinet has extended the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units and Stand-Up India schemes by five years until 2031, approving a corpus of Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 4,111 crore, respectively. The extensions are expected to facilitate Rs 12.6 lakh crore in Mudra loans and support at least 2.5 lakh additional women, SC and ST entrepreneurs.
The much awaited Noida-Greater Noida West metro link, a mega museum and more: Inside the Cabinet's Rs 77,101 crore package
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved significant proposals for infrastructure and business support across India. The government will allocate ₹3,230 crores for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum in New Delhi. A metro rail project linking Noida and Greater Noida will receive ₹2,390 crores for development. Additionally, ₹62,370 crores will be set aside for NBS rates on fertilizers for the Rabi 2026-27 season.
How can senior HR leaders prepare themselves to drive enterprise transformation through people?
ISB Executive Education’s 43-week Chief Human Resources Officer Programme equips senior HR leaders with the strategic judgement, business acumen and leadership capabilities to translate human capital into sustained enterprise value.
US flags visa fraud involving sham staffing firms and fake student records, warns applicants
The US State Department has exposed multiple visa fraud schemes involving sham staffing companies, forged employment documents and fake academic records across several international jurisdictions. The cases include fraudulent recruitment of foreign workers, fabricated student exchange applications and falsified criminal records submitted by immigrant visa applicants.
- Go To Page 1

ETMarkets Management Talk | Northern Arc sees D2C lending contributing over 75% of its loan book in the next few years
In this edition of ETMarkets Management Talk, Ashish Mehrotra, Managing Director and CEO of Northern Arc Capital, discusses the company's next phase of growth, its plans to expand the D2C business, and how a higher share of direct lending could support margins and return ratios. He also explains Northern Arc's broader strategy of combining a growing balance-sheet-led lending business with a capital-light, fee-based Credit Solutions platform to drive sustainable long-term returns.

Grey zone in Indian payment laws: Crypto goes shopping in rupee using QR-linked loophole
Unified payments interface is now being used for buying cryptocurrencies through applications like goat.cash. Consumers can conveniently convert their cryptocurrencies, such as USD Coins, to pay vendors for goods. This involves scanning QR codes and entering necessary details, which facilitates quick transactions. Intermediaries help complete the process by converting USDC to rupees for vendors. Additionally, stable coins often trade at a premium within the Indian market.

Alice in Nvidia CEO's secret world: Jensen Huang's personal affair matters far beyond than what meets the eye
Concerns about national security have emerged regarding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a Chinese businesswoman, Alice Huang. US intelligence suggests Alice may have gathered information for Beijing after forming a close relationship with Jensen. Nvidia's advanced processors play a crucial role in AI and military applications, making them strategically significant in US-China relations. Congressional inquiries are seeking clarity on Nvidia's security protocols regarding foreign espionage risks.

Why did you come back? The Indian dream beyond India's borders
The trend of Indian emigration continues, driven by aspirations for better opportunities abroad. Despite improvements in India, many individuals still seek to leave the country. Historical patterns of migration are linked to economic conditions and personal ambitions. The allure of the United States remains significant for many professionals. However, immigration policies may restrict future movement and opportunities for those seeking success.

India's rich turn to concierge cards for things money alone can't buy
Luxury concierge firms like Sulit Lifestyle and Lunar Tales are catering to ultra-high-net-worth clients in India. These firms focus on sourcing rare luxury items that are often hard to find. Requests for such products have significantly increased in recent years, underscoring rising demand. Clients are willing to pay substantial premiums for speed and exclusivity when acquiring these items.

Cybercrime networks shift to smaller, mobile scam operations amid enforcement pressure: FATF
In its report released from Paris, the global money-laundering watchdog said large, fortified compounds where cyber slaves were forced to commit financial cybercrimes are being moved to apartments, houses, hotels and office floors, sometimes rebranding as legitimate outsourcing or marketing firms.

Cybercrime networks shift to smaller, mobile scam operations amid enforcement pressure: FATF
In its report released from Paris, the global money-laundering watchdog said large, fortified compounds where cyber slaves were forced to commit financial cybercrimes are being moved to apartments, houses, hotels and office floors, sometimes rebranding as legitimate outsourcing or marketing firms.

Beyond payments: Here is how Adyen is helping Prism globally through its unified payments platform
As Indian enterprises branch out to international markets, a fragmented payments ecosystem, non-compatible with the local payment rails, can be a major roadblock. PRISM’s journey to global markets, and its partnership with Adyen, highlights how a unified payments platform can mitigate the pain points and help businesses integrate local payment experiences with global scale seamlessly. Read on!

Blinkit Ambulance is no longer entirely free! Deepinder Goyal introduces Rs 2,500 charge; check which services remain free
Deepinder Goyal has announced a Rs 2,500 fee for non-emergency Blinkit Ambulance transfers, while emergency services will remain free. The move comes after the service handled around 42,000 cases in two years, including nearly 20,000 emergencies. Goyal also outlined plans to expand the ambulance network to major Indian cities.

US airlines may face fresh scrutiny as Democrats plan probes into pricing and passenger rights
Following a significant midterm election victory, Democrats intend to scrutinize airlines regarding personalized pricing practices and passenger protection rules. The Federal Trade Commission has requested information from major airlines about the influence of personal data on pricing. Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions. Legislators are also exploring requirements for transparency in ticket pricing and additional passenger rights.

GRAP II imposed in Delhi with immediate effect amid 'very poor' air quality; check key restrictions
GRAP Stage II has been implemented in Delhi-NCR due to a significant decline in air quality. The Commission for Air Quality Management reported an increase in the AQI from 117 to 324 recently. These figures indicate a shift to the 'very poor' category following unfavorable weather conditions. Authorities will now intensify measures to reduce dust pollution and promote public transportation.

The business of running a hospital: Balancing profitability, patient trust and scale
A hospital’s financial health depends on more than occupancy and revenue, requiring a careful balance of cost control, cash flow and patient trust.

ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.

Consent managers search for viable revenue model as registration nears
Consent managers are intended to help individuals manage, review and withdraw consent for the processing of their personal data, and they're required to be registered with the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI). A consent manager is data-blind, and processes metadata, consent artifacts, and cryptographic routing instructions.

Meesho sees near-term margin pressure as it reinvests in growth
The value commerce platform’s September quarter results on Wednesday showed its contribution margin rising to 6% of net merchandise value (NMV) in the second quarter of FY27 from 4.6% in the April-June period. Contribution margin is the income after deducting direct, order-linked expenses.

COAI seeks rationalised pricing for microwave backhaul spectrum
The Cellular Operators Association of India emphasizes the need for early implementation of TRAI's spectrum charge recommendations. This follows the Department of Telecommunications retaining the existing pricing framework despite previous recommendations for reductions. COAI points out that the current structure poses a significant burden on operators' costs. As demand for microwave backhaul is expected to grow substantially, predictable charges are essential.

Why is Adani betting $3.4 billion on global energy trade chaos?
Adani Group is reportedly exploring a $3.4 billion acquisition of Dutch energy storage giant VTTI as global oil supply disruptions reshape energy trade. With terminals across 16 countries, VTTI could expand Adani Ports' international footprint, strengthen crude oil storage and logistics capabilities, and unlock opportunities in fuel trading, biofuels, hydrogen infrastructure and global energy supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainty.

TRAI’s internet TV proposal raises concerns over wider OTT regulation, say legal experts
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed a new framework for internet-based linear television distribution. This recommendation could broaden the interpretation of the Telecommunications Act and affect other digital content. Legal experts express concerns over TRAI's jurisdiction regarding OTT services and the implications for freedom of speech. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must decide whether to adopt these recommendations.

Karnataka HC grants relief to JioStar, Zee over 2% cess as broadcasters challenge law
The Karnataka High Court has issued a ruling preventing the state government from taking action against broadcasters. This relates to a 2% welfare cess imposed on television operators and other entities. Justice HT Narendra Prasad directed the state government to respond to petitions challenging the cess. The broadcasters argue that they differ fundamentally from cinema theatres in their operations.

Paytm Q2 Results: Profit rockets 976% YoY to Rs 226 crore, revenue jumps 28%
Paytm Q2 Results: Fintech major Paytm on Monday reported 976% year-on-year (YoY) growth in its consolidated net profit at Rs 226 crore. The same stood at Rs 21 crore in the year-ago quarter. Revenue from operations in the reporting period rose 28% YoY to Rs 2,648 crore.

How to compare real trading costs across forex trading apps in India
When choosing a forex trading platform, it's important to analyze charges, commissions, and transactional fees. Comparing the overall cost of trade execution is advisable, specifically during peak trading times. For those who trade on the move, testing mobile trading apps for performance and connectivity is vital. Funding and withdrawal charges also affect total expenses, particularly for traders with smaller accounts.

TRAI recommends light-touch regulatory framework for internet-based TV services
TRAI has recommended a light-touch regulatory framework for application-based linear TV distribution services, proposing a one-time entry fee of ₹1 lakh, a processing fee of ₹10,000 and an initial authorisation valid for 20 years.

Account aggregator body Sahamati defers rollout of new fee model to December 1
Industry participants had flagged that implementing the changes involved legal reviews, agreements between multiple institutions and systems to collect and distribute payments. Holiday schedules had also reduced the time available for completing these steps, executives at companies using the network said.
Load More