In one of the most significant drug seizures of the year, authorities at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) confiscated cocaine valued at Rs. 47 crore from a foreign national. The operation, carried out by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), highlights India’s growing vigilance against international narcotics trafficking networks. Officials stated that the accused had concealed the contraband within false compartments of their luggage.

In a mixed development for consumers and industries alike, the government announced a hike in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices while simultaneously reducing domestic LPG cylinder rates, marking the latest round of monthly fuel price revisions. The contrasting adjustments reflect global crude market trends and domestic demand considerations. The ATF price increase is expected to raise operational costs for airlines, while the LPG rate cut will bring partial relief to households ahead of the festive season.

Escorts Kubota Ltd. reported a 3.8% year-on-year rise in tractor sales for October 2025, reflecting a steady revival in rural sentiment and improved demand across key agricultural markets. The company sold 15,574 tractors during the month compared to 14,999 units in October 2024, supported by favorable monsoon patterns and higher kharif crop output. While domestic sales showed moderate growth, export volumes also held firm amid a challenging global environment.

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue climbed to Rs 1.96 lakh crore in October 2025, marking a robust 13% year-on-year increase, underscoring the resilience of domestic consumption and improved tax compliance. This performance, one of the highest monthly collections since the GST regime’s inception in 2017, reflects sustained manufacturing activity, festive season spending, and digitized compliance measures introduced by the government.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has appointed Vikram Singh as the new Airport Director of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI), Kolkata, one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs. With over three decades of experience in airport operations, Singh’s leadership is expected to strengthen infrastructure modernization, enhance passenger services, and streamline operational efficiency.

Pensioners in Himachal Pradesh have formally demanded a 46% revision in dearness relief (DR), citing escalating living costs and inflationary pressures. The demand seeks to restore the purchasing power of retired government employees, whose fixed incomes have been eroded over recent years. Representatives argue that current DR rates lag behind the actual cost-of-living increases, affecting financial stability and quality of life for senior citizens. The state government is under pressure to address these concerns while balancing fiscal constraints.

In a move aimed at ensuring seamless implementation of India’s accelerated market settlement framework, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has extended the deadline for Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs) to comply with the T+0 settlement cycle. The decision reflects the regulator’s commitment to balancing market modernization with operational preparedness, as it pushes toward real-time settlements in the near future.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has urged the government to introduce a comprehensive set of tax reforms in the upcoming Union Budget 2025, focusing on easing compliance, broadening the tax base, and stimulating private investment. The chamber emphasized the need to rationalize personal income tax slabs, reduce corporate tax complexities, and streamline GST structures to enhance competitiveness and investor confidence.

Diversified conglomerate ITC Ltd reported a net profit of Rs 5,186.5 crore for the second quarter (Q2), reflecting resilience across its core businesses despite a challenging economic backdrop. The company’s robust performance was supported by steady growth in its FMCG, hotels, and agri-business divisions, even as its cigarettes segment faced subdued demand. Revenue came in at Rs 17,705.5 crore, demonstrating stability amid cost pressures and market headwinds.

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has launched a forward-looking revenue-sharing model to revive discontinued and financially unviable coal mines. This initiative seeks to enhance production efficiency, attract private participation, and maximize resource utilization without burdening the company with fresh capital expenditure. By introducing a performance-linked structure, ECL aims to balance operational revival with financial prudence while supporting India’s broader energy security goals.