Countries with the steepest fertility declines today will age the fastest in the coming decades. India's drop has been steep. Read full report here

Roinet Solution today launched its AI-powered InsurTech platform, targeting Rs 500 crore in insurance premiums and 1 lakh policies by FYI 28 across six insurance categories. The platform aims to enable 10,000 partners across 22 states, more than 741 districts and 4,581 cities, with a strong focus on expanding insurance distribution across Tier-2, Tier-3 and rural markets. 
At the core of the platform is Roinet's ambition to transform the traditional POSP from a salesperson into a technology-enabled insurance entrepreneur. While the industry has focused on digitising insurance buying, Roinet is focused on digitising the person who sells, explains and services insurance. The platform brings together key capabilities including customer profiling, real-time product comparison, technology-enabled recommendations, proposal assistance, policy issuance, renewal tracking, claims support and customer servicing. Its recommendation engine analyses factors such as age, gender, PIN code, pre-existing conditions, tenure and riders to recommend suitable policies, helping POSPs make more informed recommendations and customers choose cover aligned to their needs.

At Drone Expo 2026, ShepHertz today unveiled three India-built AI model families for machines and missions: Tatva for on-device command, Sanjaya  for fleet and telemetry intelligence, and Drashta for machine vision. Part of its AgentAnywhere sovereign AI platform, the models are small enough to run on constrained hardware and work fully offline, with no connection to any cloud. Alongside them, the company is opening its trust toolchain under the Apache 2.0 licence, starting today with Shuddhi, a data factory that gives every AI training corpus a signed, verifiable receipt.

Tatva, meaning "essence", turns an operator's plain words in English, Hinglish or Indian languages into exactly one command a machine understands, or into no action at all. It runs on the device itself, from Raspberry-Pi-class boards to laptops and servers, with Edge, Nano, Micro and Indic variants sized from wearables to ground stations. Sanjaya is named after the Mahabharata narrator who could see the whole field of battle. It gives mission control one live picture across fleets of drones, satellites and vehicles, and keeps a fleet coordinated when links fail or its leader drops out. Drashta, "the seer", reads satellite and aerial imagery offline and maps objects of interest for analysts to review. It serves defence and strategic users inside air-gapped perimeters, with a named officer in command of every consequential step, and is never placed in a weapons-release chain. Its vision capabilities for inspection and agriculture are being built with design partners.
 

Trev Mobility, the premium chauffeur-driven electric mobility platform, has appointed Ayush Agrawal as Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Ayush joins Trev from Shoffr, where he served as COO, and will work closely with Founder and CEO Naveen Gupta to lead the company's operations and expansion.

The appointment comes as Trev looks to deepen its presence in electric mobility beyond city travel, with a growing focus on long-haul and intercity journeys and expansion into new markets. What started with two electric vehicles has grown into a fleet of 100 EVs, with the company having completed more than 60,000 rides and recently expanded to Jaipur as its first market outside Delhi NCR. Having established its operating model in Delhi NCR, Trev is now looking to build the capabilities required to operate EV mobility across a wider range of use cases and geographies.

Project GANGA, the state-wide digital transformation initiative of the Government of Uttar Pradesh being executed under the aegis of the State Transformation Commission (STC) in association with ONEOTT iNTERTAINMENT LIMITED (OIL), the broadband vertical of Hinduja Global Solutions, has seen significant traction since the launch by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in June’26.

Over 3,000 applications have been received from aspiring Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and more than 600 shortlisted candidates have completed extensive training by OIL; with the first networks supported through the CM-YUVA scheme being rolled out. 

Services being offered to consumers are under the “GangaFiber” brand – with packages starting as low as Rs 399 per month inclusive of taxes; for a 50 Mbps connection. Available plans go up to ₹1,179 per month for a 1 Gbps package; including access to over 100 TV channels and 13 popular OTT platforms.

CA Dilip B. Desai, Chairman, DHC | Desai Haribhakti 

"The primary focus will likely be on simplifying and stabilizing GST compliance. We anticipate critical reforms surrounding e-invoicing, Input Tax Credit (ITC) rules, and the mitigation of return mismatches. Streamlining both the registration and refund processes, alongside refining how ITC and tax liabilities are reported, will significantly ease the compliance burden on businesses. Ultimately, the broader objective is to resolve lingering implementation bottlenecks from previous rate rationalizations and drive overall operational efficiency. 

Businesses should anticipate procedural and compliance-driven relief rather than sweeping rate overhauls. The Council's emphasis will remain on reducing friction, specifically by improving ITC mechanisms, accelerating refunds, and curbing unnecessary notices. Measures to fast-track registrations and minimize data mismatches will yield immediate, meaningful improvements in working capital and lower administrative costs. However, the true measure of success will dictate the speed at which these conceptual reforms translate into clear, actionable operational rules on the ground. 

Businesses require uniform guidance on ITC eligibility, documentation, and procedural norms to resolve recurring interpretational disputes faster. As the GST framework matures, the overarching priority must be leveraging technology to genuinely simplify compliance, rather than simply adding new layers of data reconciliation. Fostering greater predictability will directly reduce compliance costs, minimize unnecessary litigation, and ultimately boost voluntary compliance."

A regular SIP in an equity mutual fund may appear attractive, but a holiday planned just a year away leaves little room to recover from a market fall. Read full report here

A safer, more secure and private way to pay with Apple devices 
 
Mumbai - 30th September, 2026 - PayU, India's leading diversified fintech platform, today brings Apple Pay to its merchant network. Apple Pay is an easy, secure and private way to pay in-store, in-app and online.  

To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places. 

"PayU is proud to bring Apple Pay to lakhs of Indian merchants, enabling a new era of secure and seamless authentication solutions for digital payments. Beyond introducing this world-class innovation to India, PayU will also empower merchants navigate complex technical integration and compliance processes, reinforcing its commitment to providing advanced digital financial solutions to its customers. Through PayU's unified checkout, merchants can offer their consumers the flexibility of faster, safe, and more convenient payment option, thereby boosting conversion rates and driving business growth", said Nikhil Mehta, Senior Vice President - Partnerships & Business Head - Growth Initiatives (Cross-Border Payments & Affordability). 
 
Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad, with Mac coming soon, to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information. 

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers, nor are they shared by Apple with the merchant. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device. 
 
Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap ' ', and follow the steps to add eligible cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by their bank cards.

Gaurav Udani, Founder - Thincredblu Securities 

"Nifty is expected to open flat around 22,700. After the recent weakness, the market continues to remain cautious, with immediate support at 22,500-22,550 and resistance at 22,900-23,000.

The near-term bias remains weak, and any recovery towards the 22,900-23,000 zone can see selling pressure. A decisive break below 22,500 can lead to further weakness, while holding the support zone could result in some consolidation.

On the upside, I would consider a more positive approach only if Nifty sustains above 23,050, which can signal a reversal in the near-term trend and open the possibility of a move towards higher levels. Until then, rallies are likely to face selling pressure and the focus should remain on price action around these key levels."

"BTC's recovery faces renewed rate pressure, but demand is holding up through the repricing. ETF demand and improving trend signals support the rebound, while a further rise in rate expectations could interrupt it. Continued buying would strengthen the case for a more durable recovery. Sustained weekly closes above the 50-week moving average would strengthen the reversal case, while a close back below would weaken the signal. With the 10-year yield at its highest since 2007 and October hike odds near 70%, upcoming inflation and employment data will test whether BTC's rebound can hold.

The turnaround points to renewed spot-market demand and suggests the rally is not driven solely by futures positioning, strengthening the near-term recovery setup. The technical picture has improved, but needs follow-through. Holding that weekly trend level through the next inflation and employment releases would provide stronger confirmation."

Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange 

Crypto is entering a more selective phase after the recent rally, with Bitcoin holding above the low-$82,000s but repeatedly failing to clear the $84,000-$85,000 region. That resistance is becoming more significant because it now combines technical supply, heavier exchange liquidity and potential profit-taking from long-term holders. At the same time, elevated U.S. Treasury yields continue to limit risk appetite, even as yesterday's softer labour-market data has introduced some room for yields to ease if inflation also cools.
Institutional demand remains constructive, but ETF flows have clearly lost momentum compared with last week's surge, so price is getting less support from fresh spot demand. Technically, BTC needs a sustained move above $85,000 to reopen the path toward higher levels, while $82,000-$83,000 remains the key support zone. Ethereum is showing relative stability around $2,650-$2,700, but a clean break above $2,700 is needed for stronger upside follow-through. Near term, PCE inflation and bond yields are likely to set the tone for the next directional move.

BTC is trading near $83.5K, holding relatively steady despite pressure from rising U.S. Treasury yields. BTC briefly moved above $84K before giving up gains as the 10-year yield climbed to around 5.27%, its highest level since 2007. Meanwhile, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded around $31 million in net inflows, providing modest support. Futures open interest has fallen to a year-to-date low of 628,000 BTC, indicating reduced leverage heading into Q4. Macro conditions remain the key driver, with weakening consumer confidence and softer labor-market data adding uncertainty around the Fed's next rate move.

Prateek Gupta, Head of Business, Mudrex

Bitcoin is holding around $83,500 after the New York Fed President struck a notably dovish tone, pushing October rate-hike odds below 50% from around 70% a week ago. However, bond yields remain elevated, with the 30-year yield at a 24-year high. ETF demand remains positive for the eighth straight day, with about $3 billion entering since September 17. However, on-chain signals are mixed, with elevated profit-taking, unusually low leverage trades. Open interest has fallen even as prices rose, suggesting a healthier rally. Bitcoin on its way to break the pattern of August gains being followed by September losses every year since 2013. Resistance remains at 84,500, with $80,000 standing as the major support.

Akshat Siddhant, Lead quant analyst, Mudrex

Gold fell to around $4,160/oz, bringing its September decline close to 6%, as the 30-year Treasury yield reached a 24-year high. Similarly, silver underperformed, down about 8% this month near $61/oz. Meanwhile, oil moved sharply lower, falling around 4% below $89/barrel as Middle East crude flows recovered to 98% of pre-war levels, Saudi pipeline repairs progressed and the US ordered up to 40 million barrels from the SPR. The rupee recently touched Rs 96.05/$, however, falling oil could offer some relief.

Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42

"Bitcoin’s current setup is being shaped by a clear macro headwind: US Treasury yields remain elevated, keeping pressure on crypto even as Bitcoin holds around $84,000. After a strong September rally, BTC’s ability to consolidate rather than sharply reverse suggests underlying demand remains intact. Ethereum is showing similar resilience, but the market is waiting for a fresh catalyst to push both assets higher.

What stands out is the divergence between price action and broader market sentiment. Bitcoin is approaching the end of September with gains despite elevated yields and renewed Iran related uncertainty, while analysts continue to see room for the broader bull market to extend. The key levels to watch are $84,000 as near term support and $85,000 to $86,000 on the upside. A decisive move above this range could bring $90,000 back into focus.

For investors, the current environment favours disciplined positioning over excessive leverage. If BTC continues holding support despite high yields, it would signal that underlying demand is absorbing macro pressure and keeping the broader recovery intact." 

Purvang Mashru, Lead Analyst, BitDelta India

Bitcoin edged higher on 30 September, rising 0.6% over 24 hours to $83,392, while Ethereum gained 0.4% to $2,671. Gains across Solana, XRP, Dogecoin and Cardano pointed to improving participation, although the modest advance in Bitcoin and Ethereum suggested the recovery was still tentative.

Avalanche stood out, climbing 8.4% to $11.40 after briefly reaching $12.00. Solana gained 2.0%, while XRP and Dogecoin rose about 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively. The stronger performance of these tokens showed that buying interest extended beyond the two largest cryptocurrencies.

However, the recovery remained uneven. Chainlink fell 5.5% to $14.45 after gaining 8.0% in the 24 hours ending on 29 September. Its reversal highlights how quickly leadership can change when gains are concentrated in individual tokens.

Bitcoin also retreated from its 24-hour high of $84,514, while Ethereum traded closer to its $2,651 low than its $2,748 high. Buyers lifted prices, but struggled to sustain the strongest part of the advance.

International conditions offered mixed signals. On 29 September, the S&P 500 fell 0.17% and the US 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.26%, keeping financing conditions restrictive. Meanwhile, market pricing for an October Federal Reserve rate increase eased to 51.5%. US Bitcoin and Ether ETFs recorded inflows of $31.0 million and $17.1 million, respectively, on 28 September, providing modest institutional support.

Bitcoin's immediate resistance is near $83,500, followed by $84,514. Sustaining a move above these levels alongside gains in Ethereum and major altcoins would strengthen the recovery. Support sits near $82,738 and $82,000; a break below that zone would leave the rebound vulnerable.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Bitcoin is trading around $83,600 after recovering from a recent dip towards $82,500, but remains below the $87,000 area reached earlier this month. The market is balancing strong institutional demand with a more challenging macro backdrop. 

US spot Bitcoin ETFs have continued to see inflows after a sharp reversal in mid-September, while derivatives leverage has cooled, reducing some of the excess speculative positioning. At the same time, the US 10-year Treasury yield is around 5.3% and oil remains elevated, keeping pressure on risk assets. Markets have also scaled back expectations of an October Fed rate hike to around 51.5%. PCE inflation data today and US payrolls on October 2 could influence the next move.

Our advice: Investors should avoid chasing short-term rallies. The 82,000-83,000 zone is important support, while macro data and ETF flows should be watched closely before taking fresh positions.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Gold and silver are still facing selling pressure in India, but the pace of the correction is beginning to moderate.

MCX October gold closed at Rs 1,46,247 per 10 grams on September 29, down Rs 557 or 0.38%. The contract had fallen 2.7% on September 28. December gold was around Rs 1,48,766 in Tuesday trading. December silver was around Rs 2,25,945, down 0.91%. The correction has been sharp. Gold has fallen from around Rs 1.54 lakh per 10 grams in mid-September to about Rs 1.46 lakh. Silver has also moved down significantly from levels above Rs 2.40 lakh per kg earlier this month.

The key pressure point is the US bond market. The 10-year Treasury yield touched 5.293% on September 29, its highest level since 2007. Higher real yields increase the opportunity cost of holding gold and silver, which do not generate interest income. Oil prices are adding another layer of uncertainty. Higher energy prices are keeping inflation risks elevated. This is making the Fed's rate path harder to predict.

There is some relief from the latest Fed commentary. New York Fed President John Williams said there is no urgency for another rate hike. Markets consequently reduced the probability of an October hike to around 50%, from nearly 70% earlier. For Indian investors, volatility is likely to remain high. The rupee will also be important because currency weakness can cushion domestic bullion prices.

Investors should avoid aggressive leveraged positions during this phase. Those building long-term exposure can consider staggered purchases rather than trying to identify the exact market bottom. The next major triggers will be US inflation, jobs data, Treasury yields, oil prices and Fed expectations.

Hemang Gor, Senior Research Analyst - Derivatives & Technical Research, Axis Direct

The Nifty 50 fell 64.05 points (0.28%) to 22,716.20 on Tuesday, its second straight decline, as crude near $105-107 a barrel and rising global bond yields kept risk appetite muted on monthly expiry day. The index recovered from deeper intraday losses, but breadth stayed weak, with the Midcap 100 index down 0.99% and the Smallcap 100 index down 0.81%. Overnight, Wall Street slipped as Treasury yields hit multiyear highs: the Dow lost 0.26%, the S&P 500 eased 0.17% and the Nasdaq dipped 0.09%, with banks leading the weakness.

Asia opened firmer despite the US cues, with Japan's Nikkei up about 1.4% and the Kospi over 1% higher in early trade. WTI settled 3.5% lower at $89.38 as Saudi crude flows recovered, yet Brent remains elevated, a headwind for India's import bill and inflation. GIFT Nifty points to a modestly positive start.

Bias is cautiously positive, but the undertone stays subdued while the Nifty trades below 22,800. Immediate support sits at 22,500; a break would expose 22,200. On the upside, 22,900 is the first hurdle, then 23,100. Progress in US-Iran talks and easing crude and yields could help the index stabilise; another spike in either would keep sellers in control.

The Thesis
Nifty 500 eased 0.59% to 22,101 even as India VIX cooled to 13.32 and Brent retreated to $103 from its Hormuz-driven spike above $106, a mismatch between calming volatility and a rupee RBI is still actively defending near 96. That gap favours businesses with dollar-linked revenue and a domestic capex order book that doesn't need the currency to move.

Where We're Concentrated
The concentration sits in dollar-earning exporters - home textiles, pharma exports, agri-exports and media services - names whose margins are cushioned rather than crushed by a managed rupee, alongside a defense-linked industrial riding India's localisation push. The thesis breaks if RBI's intervention capacity is tested and the rupee breaks decisively through 96, or if Hormuz diplomacy fails and Brent snaps back above $106.

Conviction Picks
Highest Conviction
Welspun Living
Home-textile exporter whose dollar revenue is cushioned, not crushed, by a rupee RBI is defending near 96.
Prime Focus
Global VFX and media-services biller in dollars, largely insulated from the Brent-rupee swings driving the tape.
Jubilant Pharmova
US-generics exporter that gains a margin cushion exactly when the rupee stays soft and RBI-managed near 96.
LT Foods
Basmati export franchise where rupee softness supports realizations even as Brent swings unsettle the broader tape.
BEML
Defense-rail PSU riding India's localisation push, a capex theme that doesn't need the rupee or crude to cooperate.
One Thing to Watch
RBI's MPC verdict, October 5-7 A hold with continued rupee support validates the exporter cushion this brief leans on; any sign RBI eases its defense of 96 reopens the currency risk these dollar-earners are supposed to absorb.

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX

"US employment demand eased as job openings fell to 7.08 million, while consumer confidence dropped to 81.9, signaling slower economic activity. Treasury yields above 5.25% and the Reserve Bank of Australia's cash-rate increase to 4.60% tightened liquidity, potentially limiting flows into Bitcoin and altcoins. However, lower oil prices and the Federal Reserve's patient stance reduced inflation and rate-hike pressure. Overall, cooling demand could support crypto liquidity, although elevated yields and continued central-bank tightening may keep near-term participation selective across markets.

Bitcoin trades near $83,422 in a constructive but consolidating daily pattern. Immediate support sits around $83,200- $83,400, while $84,400- $84,600 forms resistance. Holding support could preserve buyer control; clearing resistance may strengthen momentum. A breakdown would weaken the setup and shift attention toward secondary support around $81,900- $82,100 if selling pressure expands further.

Ethereum trades near $2,671 within a constructive, range-bound structure. Immediate support lies around $2,640- $2,665, while $2,700- $2,720 forms resistance around the psychological $2,700 level. Holding support may sustain buyer interest, but Futures traders should assess volume, open interest, and funding before treating a resistance test as confirmation of renewed upside momentum.

QNT trades near $284 after a sharp daily advance, with RSI above 80 indicating stretched momentum. Support lies around $270-$275, followed by $250-$255, while $290-$300 forms resistance. Holding support could maintain strength; rejection may trigger consolidation after the recent surge.

Global markets showed selective confidence. Asian equities were mixed, with the Nikkei gaining 1.13%, KOSPI rising 0.51%, and Shanghai adding 0.33%, while the Hang Seng and Sensex declined. US markets eased modestly, although the VIX remained stable near 16, indicating limited fear. Gold gained 0.53%, and oil edged 0.17% higher. The measured cross-asset movement suggests investors remain engaged, supporting continued crypto participation despite caution around interest rates and global growth conditions across major digital assets.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $15.1 million in daily net inflows, while Ethereum ETFs added 2,270 ETH, worth approximately $6.1 million at current prices. Institutional demand remained positive, yet Bitcoin slipped 0.24% to around $83,426, and Ether declined 0.20% to nearly $2,671. The muted response shows ETF buying does not move prices on its own. Higher Treasury yields, profit-taking, exchange selling, derivatives positioning, and resistance near key levels can temporarily absorb new institutional demand across spot markets during cautious global trading conditions."

The push is an attempt to build capacity across the solar value chain. India is targeting 80 GW of domestic ingot and wafer manufacturing capacity. Read full report here

At the close on Tuesday, the total market cap of all BSE Sensex companies stood at Rs 4,72,50,819.