Author: Staff Writer

India’s leading e-commerce platforms, Amazon and Flipkart, have kicked off their flagship festive season sales — the Great Indian Festival and Big Billion Days — setting the stage for what could be the largest shopping season in the country’s online retail history.

These sales mark the beginning of the year’s most crucial period, traditionally accounting for nearly a quarter of annual revenues for both platforms.

Members of Flipkart Black and Amazon Prime, the respective subscription programs, were given early access starting September 22. The timing of the sales coincides with the implementation of a new goods and services tax (GST) regime, which reduced rates on big-ticket appliances such as air-conditioners, televisions, and dishwashers from 28 percent to 18 percent. This adjustment is expected to boost affordability and fuel demand in key festive categories.

Flipkart launched the 12th edition of the Big Billion Days with events at its Bengaluru campus. The company expects 250–300 million unique visitors during the sale itself, and over 350 million across the entire festival period. Supported by a workforce of 400,000 across warehouses, fulfilment centres, and delivery networks, Flipkart will serve 19,500 pin codes from 4,500 locations. The platform has also scaled up its operations with more than 100 fulfilment centres and nearly 400 micro-fulfilment hubs in 19 cities, offering express delivery through Flipkart Minutes and seasonal hiring of over 2.2 lakh workers.

Amazon has bolstered its network with 12 new fulfilment centres, six sortation hubs, and 1.5 lakh seasonal work opportunities across 400 cities. The company has also expanded checkout financing options, including Amazon Pay Later, to encourage spending across categories.

According to a report by Datum Intelligence, India’s festive season sales in 2025 are expected to rise by as much as 27 percent to ₹1.2 lakh crore, up from nearly ₹1 lakh crore in 2024 and ₹81,000 crore in 2023. The surge in demand is being driven by pent-up consumer interest from August, the GST rate cuts, and early access for subscription members.

Both Amazon and Flipkart are leveraging live commerce, influencer-led showcases, and short-form video content to engage shoppers, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and among Gen Z consumers. With logistics networks strengthened, festive hiring completed, and GST cuts incentivizing high-value purchases, the stage is set for what analysts expect could be the strongest festive season yet in India’s $1.2 lakh crore e-commerce market.

Also Read: GRSE Secures $62.44 Million Contract with German Firm for Hybrid Vessels

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), a leading Indian shipbuilder, has signed a contract valued at $62.44 million with Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei GmbH & Co. KG. The agreement, finalized in Hamburg, Germany, entails the construction of four hybrid multi-purpose vessels (MPVs), with an option to build two additional vessels.

The hybrid MPVs are designed to be 120 meters in length and 17 meters in width, with a cargo capacity of 7,500 tonnes per vessel. These vessels will feature battery-assisted hybrid propulsion systems, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions in line with the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonization targets.

This contract marks a significant milestone in GRSE’s expansion into the international commercial shipbuilding market. It underscores India’s growing presence in the global maritime industry and supports the government’s “Make in India, Make for World” initiative, highlighting the country’s ability to deliver technologically advanced and sustainable shipping solutions.

The partnership between GRSE and Carsten Rehder builds on a previous successful collaboration on a 7,500 DWT MPV project currently under execution in Kolkata. Industry observers note that the ongoing relationship demonstrates mutual confidence and GRSE’s capability to meet international standards for commercial vessels.

Following the announcement, shares of GRSE experienced a notable uptick, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s expanding order book and strategic direction. Analysts have highlighted that international contracts such as this not only enhance revenue visibility but also strengthen GRSE’s position as a competitive player in the global shipbuilding sector.

GRSE’s move into hybrid propulsion technology is in line with global trends emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency in maritime transport. With increasing pressure on shipbuilders worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the incorporation of hybrid systems positions the company favorably in future tenders and contracts.

The company’s order book now includes both domestic naval projects and international commercial contracts, signaling a diversification strategy that balances traditional government work with global commercial opportunities. Senior GRSE officials have stated that the company is actively exploring additional partnerships with overseas firms to further expand its portfolio of environmentally sustainable vessels.

Industry experts believe that such international engagements will contribute to technological know-how, workforce skill development, and long-term revenue growth for GRSE. By delivering on these hybrid vessel contracts, the company aims to establish a benchmark for Indian shipbuilders in advanced, eco-friendly maritime engineering.

The deal also reflects a broader trend of Indian shipyards increasingly securing contracts from European and global shipping companies, which are seeking reliable partners to meet stricter environmental and operational standards. GRSE’s ability to deliver high-quality hybrid vessels on schedule is expected to enhance its reputation and open doors to further collaborations in the international shipping market.

With the construction of the four hybrid MPVs set to begin soon, GRSE is poised to strengthen its foothold in both domestic and global shipbuilding, combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices to meet the evolving demands of the maritime industry.

Adani Power shares appeared to have plunged nearly 80 percent in a single session on September 22, sparking alarm among investors. But the dramatic drop was purely technical, a result of the company’s first-ever 1:5 stock split, and the reality is far rosier — the stock actually jumped more than 18 percent after turning ex-bonus, hitting a fresh record high.

The board of Adani Power had approved the stock split in August, with the record date for determining shareholder eligibility set for September 22. The move increases the number of shares in circulation, making them more affordable for retail investors without altering the overall value of holdings.

For example, if a shareholder owned 10 shares worth Rs 100 each before the split, they would hold 50 shares at Rs 20 each after the split. The total value of the holding remains unchanged at Rs 1,000.

Stock splits are a common corporate action aimed at boosting liquidity. By increasing the number of shares available at a lower price, companies make it easier for smaller investors to participate, which can create strong upside potential over time. Adani Power specifically noted that the split was intended to encourage greater retail participation and enhance trading activity.

Following the split, Adani Power shares adjusted to reflect the corporate action, giving the impression of a steep fall. In reality, the stock surged over 18 percent to reach a 52-week high of Rs 168.80 per share.

Market watchers remain optimistic. Morgan Stanley recently initiated coverage on Adani Power with an ‘overweight’ rating, calling it a prime example of a turnaround story in India’s corporate landscape. The brokerage highlighted the company’s strong earnings potential, driven by timely project completions and future power purchase agreements, naming it a “top pick” in the Indian power sector.

In short, the apparent crash is nothing to worry about — it’s just the stock split in action, and investor sentiment remains robust.

Also Read: Apple Enters India’s Top 5 as Smartphone Market Grows 2% in H1 2025

State-run explorers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) will begin a ₹3,200 crore stratigraphic drilling campaign in early 2026, targeting unexplored offshore sedimentary basins in a bid to expand domestic hydrocarbon reserves and curb reliance on costly imports.

Senior officials confirmed that the programme, backed by government funding, will be one of the largest exploration pushes in recent years.

The first phase of the campaign will see four test wells drilled in the deep waters of the Andaman Sea, Mahanadi, Saurashtra and Bengal basins. These frontier regions have long been identified as having the potential for sizeable oil and gas finds but have remained largely untapped due to high costs, technical risks and regulatory constraints.

Global major BP has been brought on board to provide technical expertise, helping to identify drilling sites and guide operations. The data generated from the stratigraphic wells will allow scientists to create detailed subsurface profiles, offering critical insights into whether the basins contain commercially viable reserves.

The government has pledged to bear the full cost of the campaign, with ONGC and OIL carrying out the operations. Any discoveries will remain under state ownership, and decisions on monetisation—whether through auctions, nominations or other mechanisms—will be taken later. Officials have not clarified if BP will have any preferential rights in case of commercial finds.

The project comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its energy security amid rising demand and volatile global oil prices. The country currently imports nearly 88 percent of its crude oil and around half its natural gas requirements. Exploration coverage remains low, with only about a tenth of India’s sedimentary basin area under active work. The government has recently opened up vast swathes of the exclusive economic zone for drilling, cutting “no-go” areas by nearly 99 percent in order to attract investment.

Stratigraphic drilling is expected to play a crucial role in narrowing India’s knowledge gap in these remote basins. While the wells themselves are not designed for immediate production, they will provide continuous coring and geological data that can help assess the commercial viability of future exploration. Industry experts say it may take several quarters after drilling begins to interpret the results and determine the scale of any hydrocarbon deposits.

The campaign is part of a broader strategy that includes reforms to pricing formulas for gas from difficult and deep-sea areas, aimed at making exploration more viable for investors. By launching one of its most ambitious offshore drilling drives to date, India is signalling its intent to move beyond traditional onshore assets and into deepwater plays that could reshape its energy landscape.

Also Read: Trump’s India Strategy Could Backfire on US Giants: Here’s how

TechD Cybersecurity had a stellar debut on the NSE Emerge platform on September 22, opening at Rs 366.70 per share — almost 90 percent higher than its issue price of Rs 193.

Despite the strong listing, the gains fell short of what the grey market had been signalling. Prior to listing, TechD’s shares were commanding about Rs 403 apiece in the unofficial market, reflecting a 109 percent premium over the issue price, as per Investorgain data.

SME IPO sees record-breaking demand
The SME issue, backed by noted investor Vijay Kedia, witnessed frenzied demand during its subscription window from September 15 to 17. Overall, the IPO was booked nearly 668 times. The price band for the offer was fixed at Rs 183–193 per share.

Among categories, non-institutional investors dominated the response, subscribing 1,279.4 times their quota. The retail portion attracted bids 726 times the shares on offer, while the qualified institutional buyers’ category was subscribed 284.17 times.

Applications were allowed in lots of 600 shares, requiring a minimum outlay of about Rs 1.16 lakh.

From the IPO proceeds, the company plans to channel Rs 26.09 crore into expanding its workforce and Rs 5.9 crore into establishing a Global Security Operation Centre (GSOC) in Ahmedabad. The balance will be set aside for general corporate purposes.

GYR Capital Advisors was the lead manager for the TechD Cybersecurity IPO.

Vodafone Idea’s shares jumped 9% on Friday after the Supreme Court postponed the hearing on the telecom giant’s challenge to a fresh Rs 9,450-crore adjusted gross revenue (AGR) demand from the Centre. The government requested more time to respond, prompting the deferment.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, told the bench that since it now holds a significant stake in Vodafone Idea, a solution protecting consumer interests must be explored. The Centre requested that the case be listed again on September 26 for urgent consideration, stating it was not opposing Vodafone Idea’s plea.

At 12:45 pm, Vodafone Idea shares on the NSE were trading 11% higher at Rs 8.69 per share.

The case traces back to the Supreme Court’s March 18, 2020 order, which upheld AGR dues up to FY17 as calculated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and barred any reassessment by operators. Despite this, DoT has issued fresh claims for FY18 and FY19. Vodafone Idea argued in its September 8 petition that much of the new demand overlaps with periods already settled by the Court.

The government currently owns 48.99% of Vodafone Idea, having converted Rs 53,083 crore of dues into equity in two tranches in February 2023 and April 2025. Of the Rs 9,450-crore demand, Rs 2,774 crore pertains to Idea Group and Vodafone Idea post-merger, while Rs 6,675 crore targets Vodafone Group for the pre-merger period.

Vodafone Idea already has AGR liabilities of about Rs 83,400 crore, with annual instalments of Rs 18,000 crore starting March. Including penalties and interest, total dues to the government are estimated at nearly Rs 2 trillion.

The telco argued that Rs 5,606 crore of the fresh demand relates to FY17 and earlier, which has already been settled by the 2020 order, and requested the Court to quash DoT’s new claims and conduct a full reconciliation of AGR dues. It warned that the additional liability could threaten its survival, affecting services to 198 million subscribers and jeopardising jobs of over 18,000 employees, along with many more indirectly dependent on the company.

Vodafone Idea also contested DoT’s revised calculations on licence fees and spectrum usage charges, stating that including spectrum charges up to FY17 would push additional dues to around Rs 6,800 crore as of March 2025. In an August 13 communication, DoT said updated licence fee dues up to FY19 were not considered in the 2020 order and recalculated amounts with penalties and interest compounded at 8% per year until March 2025. Vodafone Idea, in its August 28 reply, rejected these figures, accepting interest only on Rs 58,254 crore and highlighting “material errors” in DoT’s FY18 and FY19 calculations.