Author: Sreelatha M

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Beyond

Gold at ₹1.22 lakh, silver ₹1.53 lakh

On November 19, 2025, gold prices in India edged lower, while silver remained largely steady as investors stayed cautious.

24‑carat gold is trading at around ₹1,22,180 per 10 g, down from ₹1,22,924 the previous day, while silver (999 purity) is priced at ₹1,53,706 per kg.

In Delhi, 22‑carat gold is at ₹1,13,490 per 10 g and 24‑carat gold at ₹1,23,800 per 10 g. The modest decline in gold reflects uncertainty over global interest rate trends and subdued buying ahead of the wedding season.

Analysts say the dip may offer a short-term buying opportunity, but investors are advised to monitor international markets, currency movements, and domestic demand closely.

Also Read: Sensex gains 200 points, Nifty surpasses 25,950

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1 Minute-Read

India’s unemployment rate holds at 5.2% in October

India’s unemployment rate for people aged 15 and above remained steady at 5.2% in October, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Rural unemployment fell slightly from 4.6% in September to 4.4%, while urban joblessness edged up from 6.8% to 7.0%. Among women, unemployment improved, mainly in rural areas, dropping from 4.3% to 4.0%, while men’s overall rate stayed at 5.1%.

The Labour Force Participation Rate rose to 55.4%, and the Worker Population Ratio increased to 52.5%, indicating more people are joining the workforce, especially women in rural regions.

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Leaders

Amazon founder, Bezos , returns to lead $6.2 billion AI startup

Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who stepped down as CEO in 2021, is back in the driver’s seat,  this time in the world of artificial intelligence. He will be co‑CEO of a new startup called Project Prometheus, which has already raised a whopping $6.2 billion, with some of the money coming from Bezos himself.

The company is not just another tech startup. Its goal is to use AI to improve engineering, manufacturing, and industries like cars, computers, and even spacecraft. The team includes about 100 top researchers from leading AI labs like OpenAI, DeepMind, and Meta. Bezos will share leadership with Vik Bajaj, a physicist and chemist formerly with Google’s innovation lab, Google X.

This is Bezos’s first formal executive role since leaving Amazon, although he has remained busy with his space venture, Blue Origin.

Not everyone is impressed, though. Elon Musk reacted on social media, calling Bezos a “copycat” and adding a playful cat emoji. The comment reflects the ongoing rivalry between the two billionaires, especially as both are now heavily involved in AI.

Project Prometheus represents a bold move by Bezos to enter the AI space in a serious, hands-on role and the tech world is watching closely to see what he builds next.

Also Read: India’s October trade deficit hits $41.68 billion

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Corporate

Sensex drops 278 Points, Nifty slips Below 25,950

The Indian stock markets paused their recent upward momentum on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, with benchmarks slipping as investors awaited key U.S. economic data.

The BSE Sensex fell about 278 points (0.33%), closing at 84,673, while the Nifty 50 dropped roughly 103 points (0.4%) to finish near 25,910. Broad‑based selling was seen across major sectors including IT, metals, and capital goods.

IT stocks declined about 1.1% due to exposure to U.S. revenues. Market experts said the pullback was influenced by reduced expectations of a U.S. rate cut in December and the usual volatility during the weekly expiry of futures and options.

Despite the dip, domestic fundamentals remain strong. Among stocks, Asian Paints, Shriram Finance, and Bharti Airtel were the top gainers, while Kaynes Technology, One97 Communications (Paytm), and Narayana Hrudayalaya were the top losers.

Also Read: Sensex slides over 200 pts, Nifty below 25,950

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1 Minute-Read

Ukraine to receive 100 Rafale jets from France

Ukraine and France have signed a landmark agreement for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets over the next decade.

The deal also includes drones, radars, and advanced air‑defence systems, aiming to significantly bolster Ukraine’s aerial and defensive capabilities amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron described the pact as “historic,” highlighting strengthened bilateral cooperation.

The acquisition of Rafale jets, known for their versatility and combat performance, marks one of Ukraine’s largest defense procurements, signaling Paris’s deepening support for Kyiv’s military efforts.

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Corporate

Tata Power commissions 300 MW solar plant for NHPC

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has commissioned a 300 MW solar power project for NHPC Ltd in the desert region of Karnisar Bhatiyan in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The project adds significant renewable capacity to the national grid and strengthens NHPC’s presence in the solar energy space.

The plant has been built using fully India-made, DCR-compliant bifacial solar modules manufactured by Tata Power’s unit in Tirunelveli. These panels are designed to generate power from both sides, helping improve efficiency in the bright and reflective desert environment. More than seven lakh solar modules have been installed across the site.

Power from the project will be supplied to Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd under a long-term agreement. Over its operational life, the plant is expected to produce more than 17,000 million units of clean electricity. This output is projected to offset nearly 14 million tonnes of carbon emissions, making the project an important contributor to India’s climate goals.

The project faced tough conditions, from the remote desert site to extreme heat and difficult logistics. To ensure durability, the company used high-performance inverters, strong foundations and installation methods designed for harsh, sandy terrain.

With this commissioning, TPREL’s total renewable capacity has reached 11.6 GW. About half of this capacity is already operational, while the remaining projects are under various stages of development. The company continues to expand its footprint in large-scale solar as part of its clean-energy strategy.

In addition to its environmental impact, the project supported local development. More than 300 workers from nearby areas were employed during construction, and local vendors were engaged for supplies and services.

Also Read: PhysicsWallah shares surge 33% on market listing day

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Leaders

Murugappa Group’s former chairman, passes away at 72

Arunachalam Vellayan, the respected former Chairman of the Murugappa Group, passed away on Monday at the age of 72 after a long illness. Known for his calm leadership and thoughtful guidance, he helped shape one of India’s most enduring business families.

He is survived by his wife Lalitha, their sons Arun and Narayanan, and grandchildren, leaving behind a close-knit family that was dear to him.

Under his leadership, the Murugappa Group expanded across fertilizers, sugar, engineering, and financial services, with Vellayan guiding companies like Coromandel International and EID Parry Ltd. Beyond business, he was a mentor to many and played key roles in industry associations, helping Indian businesses grow responsibly.

An alumnus of The Doon School and Shri Ram College of Commerce, he also studied in the UK and received honorary doctorates for his contributions to industry.

Those who knew him remember not just his business acumen, but his generosity, humility, and commitment to nurturing talent. His passing leaves a significant void, but his legacy of vision, leadership, and care will continue to inspire.

Also Read: Ira Bindra of Reliance among top global CHROs

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Corporate

PhysicsWallah shares surge 33% on market listing day

Ed-tech firm PhysicsWallah made a strong debut on the Indian stock market on 18 November 2025, with shares listing at ₹145 on the NSE and ₹143 on the BSE, roughly 33 % above its ₹109 IPO price.

The IPO raised a total of around ₹3,480 crore, comprising a fresh issue of 28.45 crore shares worth ₹3,100.7 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 3.49 crore shares worth ₹380 crore. The price band was ₹103–₹109 per share, and the IPO was open from 11–13 November.

Institutional investors showed strong interest, with the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) segment subscribed 2.7 times. Retail investors subscribed 1.06 times, while non-institutional investors saw weaker demand at 0.48 times.

PhysicsWallah plans to use the IPO proceeds to fund expansion of offline “Vidyapeeth” and hybrid “Pathshala” learning centres, enhance cloud and technology infrastructure, cover lease costs for existing centres, boost marketing (₹710 crore), and pursue acquisitions (₹941 crore).

The company’s financials show rapid revenue growth from FY 23 to FY 25 at a CAGR of 96.9 %, reaching ₹2,886.6 crore, while adjusted EBITDA grew 90.3 % to ₹432 crore. However, net losses widened to ₹243.3 crore in FY 25 from ₹84.1 crore in FY 23, and EBITDA margins slipped slightly to 15 %.

Analysts note that while the strong listing reflects investor confidence, challenges remain, including heavy competition in the ed-tech sector, high operating costs, and the need to sustain student enrolments to achieve profitability.

PhysicsWallah’s IPO listing has set the tone for other ed-tech firms considering public offerings, showing that investors are willing to back high-growth companies even if they are not yet profitable.

Also Read: Kotak Mahindra Bank up 1% before Nov 21 split meet

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Beyond

Trump eyes F-35 jets sale to Saudi Arabia

US President Trump plans to sell Saudi Arabia advanced F-35 fighter jets, days before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit.

Trump described Saudi Arabia as a “great ally” and said the sale is in line with strengthening US-Saudi ties. If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to acquire F-35 jets.

The deal raises concerns about maintaining Israel’s long-standing military edge in the Middle East. Israeli officials have warned that selling such advanced jets could trigger a regional arms race and weaken their aerial superiority.

The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is considered one of the most sophisticated fighter jets in the world, featuring stealth technology and advanced systems. Previous US administrations have ensured that arms sales to Arab nations do not compromise Israel’s qualitative military advantage.

The potential sale comes amid Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which includes encouraging stronger relations between Arab nations and Israel under the Abraham Accords. Congress retains the power to block the sale, and the deal’s progress will be closely watched internationally.

Also Read: Trump’s tariff move boosts Indian tea, spices

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Beyond

Government imposes import rules on certain platinum jewellery

The Indian government has tightened rules on importing certain platinum jewellery items. Starting immediately, specific types of platinum jewellery, especially unstudded pieces, are now “restricted” and require an import licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). These measures will stay in place until 30 April 2026.

The move comes after concerns that some traders were exploiting duty-free import provisions. The India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) noted that certain jewellery pieces imported under free-trade agreements with countries like Thailand contained high gold content, but were classified as platinum, allowing importers to avoid customs duties.

Officials also pointed out that some imported jewellery was being melted down and sold domestically, bypassing the 6–6.4% duty applicable on platinum. By imposing licensing requirements, the government aims to close loopholes, prevent revenue loss, and support local jewellery makers.

Industry experts say the curbs will increase paperwork for importers but could benefit domestic manufacturers by reducing cheap overseas competition. The restrictions follow similar measures taken earlier for silver jewellery and platinum alloys with lower purity, aimed at preventing misuse of free-trade agreements and controlling non-essential precious metal imports.

Overall, the government’s new rules are designed to balance trade, protect domestic businesses, and ensure that platinum imports are used appropriately in the jewellery sector.

Also Read: Centre clears 17 electronics component projects worth ₹7,200 cr