Business

Mrs. Universe Finalist Zoya Sheikh has launched KARA Miss & Mrs Maharashtra 2025, Mrs. India Supranational and Mrs. Supranational empowering women with a global platform for recognition and confidence. Founder and Managing Director of KARA ZOYA Pvt. Ltd., Mrs. Zoya Siraj Sheikh, who was crowned Mrs. Maharashtra 2022 and Mrs. Universe 2022-23 (3rd Runner-Up), now brings three grand pageants that celebrate beauty, personality, and purpose. Mrs. Zoya Siraj Sheikh, “Every woman has a story, a strength, and a sparkle that deserves to be seen. Through KARA’s pageants, we are not just celebrating beauty—we are celebrating courage, confidence, and individuality. My vision is to give women across the world a platform where they can rise, inspire, and shine without limitations.” The competit...

Early Lenskart investor and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala has defended the eyewear brand’s IPO pricing, saying co-founder and CEO Peyush Bansal deliberately set it about 20% below the company’s true value. Speaking to Moneycontrol ahead of Lenskart’s market debut, Screwvala compared the firm with Titan EyePlus, noting that although Titan had been around for years, it never expanded India’s eyewear market the way Lenskart has. Lenskart, which is set to list next week with an estimated valuation of ₹70,000 crore ($7.97 billion), has faced scrutiny over its pricing. Screwvala argued that Lenskart’s strong fundamentals, omnichannel execution, and predictable growth justify its valuation. He said the company’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is among the most consistent in the industry, ...

India’s passenger vehicle market has undergone a clear shift in consumer demand following the GST rate cuts in September 2025, with compact SUVs gaining ground while hatchbacks continue to lag despite minor recoveries. Hatchbacks and small cars, once dominant with a 46% share in FY2019, have dropped to about 23% in FY2025. In contrast, sub-4m SUVs now account for over 30% of sales, up from 27% a year earlier. The GST revision lowered taxes on most vehicles to 18% from 29–31%, while luxury cars saw rates trimmed to 40%, improving affordability and boosting sales by 4.4% year-on-year in September 2025. Hyundai and Tata Motors have reported stronger SUV sales since the reform, with Hyundai’s SUVs making up 72.4% of domestic sales and Tata achieving record volumes. Mahindra’s SUV sales als...

Bajaj Finance Ltd. recorded a 27% year-on-year increase in festive season loan volumes, disbursing approximately 63 lakh loans between September 22 and October 26, 2025. The non-bank lender attributed the surge to GST reforms and personal income tax changes that boosted consumer purchasing power. Notably, 52% of the 23 lakh new customers acquired were first-time borrowers, advancing financial inclusion efforts. Chairman of Bajaj Finance Limited, Sanjiv Bajaj highlighted a premiumization trend, with consumers upgrading purchases despite lower average loan sizes. TV financing showed clear evidence: 71% of financed televisions were 40-inch screens or larger, up from 67% last year. Lower GST rates on TVs and air-conditioners enabled customers to reduce loan sizes by 6% while purchasing ...

India’s services sector growth slowed in October, slipping to a five-month low after reaching a 15-year high in August, as weaker export demand and rising global competition weighed on new business and output, according to a private survey released Thursday. The HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, dropped to 58.9 in October from 60.9 in September and 62.9 in August — the lowest since May. Despite the decline, the index has stayed above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction for over four years, reflecting continued resilience in the sector. The survey noted that while demand strength and GST relief supported operating conditions, factors such as stiff competition and heavy rainfall limited growth. Firms, however, remained ...

SBI Life Insurance, one of India’s most trusted private life insurers, has successfully concluded the Grand Finale of ‘IdeationX 2.0’, a national platform conceptualised to find innovative solutions for Indian life insurance industry. Pritish Wadhwa, Stuti Rajesh Shah, Eshan Sharma, second-year management students, from S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, emerged as the winners of IdeationX 2.0. The initiative drew participation from 31,000+ students from India’s top 100 B-schools, bringing together the country’s brightest minds to co-create ideas that could redefine the future of life insurance. Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic Gold Medalist, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, inspiring students with his reflections on focus, persevera...

India’s exports to the United States have declined for the fourth consecutive month across nearly all sectors, according to a recent analysis by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report highlighted that between May and September 2025, India’s exports to its largest trading partner fell sharply by 37.5%, dropping from $8.8 billion to $5.5 billion. The decline is largely attributed to the steep US tariffs imposed earlier this year, which now total 50% for Indian goods, following an initial 10% levy in April, a rise to 25% in August, and further escalation to 50% later that month. These tariffs were partly introduced as a response to India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. The sectors hit hardest were those that previously enjoyed zero tariffs. Exports in this catego...

After keeping car enthusiasts eager for nearly a year, Tata has unveiled the official teaser for the highly anticipated Sierra SUV. The vehicle, first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, revives the iconic Sierra nameplate in India. The teaser confirms that the production model closely resembles the Expo version. Tata has set November 25 as the official launch date for the Sierra in India. Engine options are expected to include a 2.0-liter diesel unit from the Tata Harrier, a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, and a 1.5-liter turbo petrol variant, with plans for an electric version also underway. The new Sierra departs significantly from the original 2000s model, embracing Tata’s contemporary design language. It features all-LED lighting, including front headlights an...

The Byatikram Group, in collaboration with The Times of India and Rabindranath Tagore Club, Laban, is gearing up to host the second edition of “Remembering the Maestro – S.D. Burman”, honouring the musical legend Sachin Dev Burman. The tribute evening will be held on November 9 at 5 PM at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The announcement was made during a press meet at Shillong Press Club in the presence of Dr. Saumen Bharatiya, Patron-in-Chief, Byatikram Group, and Pankaj Deb, President, Rabindranath Tagore Club, along with artists and organisers. As a symbolic tribute to S.D. Burman’s 69-year legacy, a 69-member chorus from Bahaar Group will perform. Meghalaya Governor Shri Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar will attend as Chief Guest. A special highlight will be the “S.D. Burman Memor...

Consumers across the Northeast are set to benefit from easier access to advanced medical care as Medanta has begun construction of its new 400+ bed super-speciality hospital in Guwahati. The Bhoomi Poojan ceremony, held on October 31, was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Medanta Chairman & Managing Director Dr. Naresh Trehan, and Group CEO Pankaj Sahni, marking a major step toward strengthening healthcare options in the region. Located at Sarusajai Industrial Estate along NH-27, the ₹500-crore facility will offer world-class services including advanced transplant programs, robotic surgery, cardiac and neuro care, oncology, trauma and emergency care, and full diagnostics and preventive health check-ups. The project is expected to create 5,000–7,000 direct an...