India Eyes 5% Share Key Highlights The Central Government has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to strengthen India’s toy manufacturing industry and help the country secure a 5% share of the global toy market by 2032. The announcement was made by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during the stakeholder meeting titled “Team Up for Toys: Driving SCALE, Innovation and Exports”, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. The newly formed task force will focus on six strategic priorities: integrating Indian manufacturers into global value chains, strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, removing value chain bottlenecks, creating a skilled workforce, promoting product design and innovation, and improving the ease of doing business. During the event, the government also launched the Toy Sector Playbook, a comprehensive roadmap designed for manufacturers, startups, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and investors. The playbook provides practical guidance on manufacturing ecosystems, quality standards, compliance, product innovation, intellectual property, exports, and emerging market opportunities. Addressing industry representatives, Piyush Goyal said the rapid progress of India’s toy industry reflects the country’s broader vision of becoming a developed nation under the Viksit Bharat initiative. He encouraged stakeholders to build a complete domestic manufacturing ecosystem powered by advanced technologies, stronger localization, high-quality standards, and globally competitive branding. The minister also highlighted several government initiatives supporting the sector, including BIS quality certification, MSME support schemes, startup promotion, and cluster development programs. He urged companies to prioritize innovation, sustainability, design excellence, and exports to establish globally recognized Indian toy brands. According to DPIIT, India’s toy ecosystem has expanded significantly, now comprising more than 21,000 MSMEs, over 770 DPIIT-recognized toy startups, nearly 50 toy manufacturing clusters, and more than 1,800 BIS-certified manufacturers. SCALE Chairman Dr. Pawan Goenka emphasized that India is well-positioned to become a preferred global manufacturing hub as international supply chains continue to diversify. He noted that increasing manufacturing scale, innovation, and export competitiveness will be key to achieving the country’s 2032 target.
vivo Launches Budget T5e
5500mAh Battery, Android 16 Key Highlights vivo has expanded its affordable smartphone lineup in India with the launch of the vivo T5e, a new device aimed at students, first-time smartphone buyers, and young professionals seeking reliable performance and long battery life. Priced at ₹13,999 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant, the smartphone is now available for purchase through the vivo India online store, Flipkart, and authorized retail outlets. The standout feature of the vivo T5e is its 5,500mAh battery, designed to provide all-day usage across entertainment, social media, communication, and productivity. The device supports 15W fast charging, reverse charging, and includes battery optimization features designed to maintain battery health for up to four years. The smartphone sports a 6.74-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and an improved viewing experience. Eye comfort features and adaptive brightness are also included to reduce eye strain during extended use. Under the hood, the vivo T5e is powered by the UNISOC T7225 octa-core processor, paired with 4GB RAM and up to 4GB Extended RAM, while storage can be expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card. Running OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, the phone introduces AI-powered productivity tools such as AI Creation, Cutout, and vivo DocMaster, helping users summarize content, edit documents, and enhance productivity. For durability, the device features IP64-rated dust and splash resistance, military-grade durability certification, and supports wet-hand and greasy-hand touch functionality. It also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking. On the camera front, the vivo T5e houses an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, supported by AI-based editing tools for everyday photography. The smartphone is available in Shadow Grey and Aero Blue color options and is manufactured at vivo’s Greater Noida facility as part of the company’s Make in India initiative.
SC Backs Peaceful Protests
Seeks Uniform Protest Rules Key Highlights The Supreme Court on Monday reiterated that the right to hold peaceful protests is a fundamental constitutional guarantee and observed that police excesses cannot be justified simply because a public demonstration is taking place. A Bench led by the Chief Justice of India, along with two other judges, made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions seeking uniform nationwide guidelines to ensure peaceful protests can be conducted without unnecessary restrictions or excessive use of force. During the proceedings, the Bench emphasized that democratic societies require both the protection of citizens’ rights and responsible conduct during public demonstrations. The court noted that while maintaining law and order is essential, the use of force should not become the default response to protests. The judges also underlined that every human life carries equal value, including that of protesters and police personnel deployed to maintain public order. The Bench stressed that peaceful assemblies should be managed through well-defined procedures rather than ad hoc responses. The petitions before the court referred to allegations of excessive police action during recent protests in Delhi and Bihar. Petitioners argued that a uniform national framework is needed to ensure that citizens can exercise their constitutional rights while allowing authorities to address genuine security concerns and prevent violence by anti-social elements. The Supreme Court observed that there should be a clear and consistent protocol governing public protests across the country, including designated spaces, crowd management procedures, and safeguards against unnecessary restrictions or excessive force. Representing the Union government, the Solicitor General assured the court that the Centre would assist in the matter objectively. The Bench directed that all petitions related to the issue be heard together during the next hearing. The case is expected to play an important role in shaping future guidelines on balancing the constitutional right to peaceful protest with public order and law enforcement responsibilities.
Canara Bank Q1 Profit Rises
NII Up, NPAs Improve Key Highlights Canara Bank reported a steady financial performance for the first quarter of FY27, with its standalone net profit rising 2.2% year-on-year to ₹4,855.82 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The growth was supported by a healthy increase in net interest income and continued improvement in the bank’s asset quality. The bank’s Net Interest Income (NII), a key measure of core lending performance, climbed 13.4% to ₹10,215.27 crore, compared with ₹9,008.76 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Interest earned during the quarter increased 6.3% to ₹32,957.04 crore, while interest expenses rose at a slower pace of 3.4% to ₹22,741.77 crore. Total income for the quarter grew 4.3% to ₹39,684.26 crore. However, other income declined 4.7% to ₹6,727.22 crore, reflecting lower non-interest earnings. Operating expenses increased 10.5% to ₹8,306.63 crore, resulting in a modest 1% rise in operating profit before provisions and contingencies to ₹8,635.86 crore. The bank’s operating margin narrowed slightly to 21.76% from 22.47% a year earlier. On the asset quality front, Canara Bank continued to strengthen its balance sheet. The Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio improved significantly to 1.57%, down 112 basis points from the previous year. The Net NPA ratio also declined to 0.36%, indicating better recovery and lower stressed assets. The bank also reduced provisions for bad loans, with NPA-related provisions falling 24.2% to ₹1,399.33 crore, helping support profitability during the quarter. The results reflect Canara Bank’s continued focus on improving asset quality, maintaining lending growth, and strengthening its overall financial performance despite a rise in operating costs.
EPFO To Auto Credit PF
Pilot Targets Dormant Accounts Key Highlights The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is working on a new technology-driven initiative that will allow eligible members to receive money from dormant Provident Fund (PF) accounts directly into their linked bank accounts without submitting a claim application. As part of the pilot project, EPFO has already identified and verified around 1.18 lakh inactive PF accounts and linked them with the respective members’ active bank accounts. The initiative is designed to simplify the withdrawal process for accounts that have remained inactive for a long period and still contain unclaimed balances. In the initial phase, the project covers 7.11 lakh dormant PF accounts with balances of ₹1,000 or less, where a total of ₹30.52 crore remains unclaimed. Under the proposed system, eligible account holders will not be required to submit claim forms or visit EPFO offices. Instead, the system will automatically transfer the eligible amount, including applicable interest, to the verified bank account. To implement this automated settlement mechanism, EPFO is upgrading its digital infrastructure with technical support from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The organization is developing a system-generated claim process that will eliminate manual intervention for eligible cases. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the technology development is expected to be completed by the end of August. Once operational, payments under the pilot project could begin soon afterward. If the pilot proves successful, EPFO plans to extend the facility to an additional 24.76 lakh dormant PF accounts with balances exceeding ₹1,000. Official data shows that nearly 31.86 lakh inactive PF accounts have accumulated approximately ₹10,903 crore in unclaimed funds over the past two decades. The new initiative aims to ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive their pending PF savings quickly and without unnecessary paperwork.
Paytm, Dr Lal PathLabs Top Weekly Picks
Analysts See Up To 7% Upside Key Highlights Technical analysts have identified Paytm (One97 Communications) and Dr Lal PathLabs as attractive short-term trading opportunities for the week, citing strong breakout formations and improving momentum on price charts. According to technical market experts, Dr Lal PathLabs is showing positive signs after forming a strong support base. Traders are advised to consider buying the stock around ₹1,750, with a target price of ₹1,855. A stop-loss has been placed below ₹1,687 to limit downside risk. Based on the current technical setup, the stock offers a potential upside of around 6%. Meanwhile, Paytm (One97 Communications) has also generated bullish technical signals. Analysts recommend accumulating the stock in the ₹1,279–₹1,280 range, with a short-term target of ₹1,370 and a stop-loss at ₹1,227. The projected upside for the stock is approximately 7%. Market experts emphasize that these recommendations are based purely on technical chart analysis, including price action, breakout patterns, and momentum indicators. They are designed for short-term trading strategies rather than long-term investing. Analysts also caution traders to maintain strict discipline by following stop-loss levels, as protecting capital remains equally important as capturing potential gains in volatile market conditions.
Lodha Targets Higher Profit
Housing Demand Supports Growth Key Highlights New Delhi: Lodha Developers has set a target of achieving around ₹4,100 crore in net profit during FY27, driven by sustained demand in the residential real estate market and strong project execution. The company reported a record quarterly profit of ₹1,373.1 crore during the April-June quarter, more than double the ₹675 crore posted in the same period last year. Total income increased to ₹5,096.7 crore, while profit margins improved significantly to 26.9%. Sales bookings rose 4% year-on-year to ₹4,630 crore during the quarter, reflecting continued demand across the company’s residential portfolio. Managing Director Abhishek Lodha said the company remains confident of delivering around 20% long-term profit growth, supported by strong structural housing demand and growing preference for established real estate brands. Lodha Developers also plans to enter the Delhi-NCR housing market during the current financial year, further expanding its national presence.
AI+ Bets On India
Local Smartphone Push Key Highlights New Delhi: AI+ smartphone maker NxtQuantum is accelerating its efforts to build a globally competitive Indian smartphone brand by investing heavily in research, local manufacturing, and domestic supply chains. Founder Madhav Sheth said the company has drawn on more than two decades of experience in the smartphone industry, including work with Realme, Oppo, and Honor, to create a fully homegrown technology ecosystem. The company generated ₹965 crore in revenue during its first fiscal year and expects revenue to exceed ₹7,500 crore in FY27. AI+ has already invested significantly in software development, server infrastructure, and research facilities within India. The company also plans to expand its R&D workforce to over 150 engineers while strengthening component development under the government’s Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS). Currently, AI+ offers five smartphone models across multiple price segments and aims to establish itself as India’s leading domestic smartphone brand.
Shriram Eyes Gold Expansion
Loan Share To Double Key Highlights Mumbai: Shriram Finance has announced plans to double the share of gold loans in its overall lending portfolio from around 2.5% to 5% over the next three years, as the company strengthens its presence in one of India’s fastest-growing secured lending segments. As of June 2026, the company’s gold loan portfolio stood at ₹7,514 crore, accounting for 2.39% of its ₹3.13 lakh crore loan book. During the first quarter of FY27, the segment recorded a 46% year-on-year growth. Executive Vice Chairman Umesh Revankar said the company intends to grow the business organically through its nationwide network of more than 3,200 branches rather than pursuing acquisitions. Apart from gold loans, the lender also plans to expand its MSME portfolio, which currently stands at ₹41,962 crore, as it sees significant long-term growth opportunities in the segment. The company believes rising gold prices and strong household gold holdings in India will continue supporting demand for secured retail loans.
FSSAI Suspends Westend Licence
Label Fraud Detected Key Highlights New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the food licence of Westend Agro Products Pvt Ltd after an inspection uncovered multiple violations of food safety regulations. According to the regulator, the inspection was initiated following complaints regarding alteration of manufacturing dates, expiry dates, batch numbers, and fraudulent relabelling of food products. Officials found that Westend Agro Products and Westend Corporation were operating from the same premises. During the inspection, FSSAI discovered several products carrying altered labels, misleading declarations, and packaging claiming “organic” status. Authorities also recovered printing machinery, stamps, solvents, labels, and wrappers allegedly used to manipulate mandatory food information. The regulator stated that such deliberate alteration of food labels poses a direct threat to consumer health and public safety, making the products prima facie unsafe. The licence suspension takes immediate effect until further notice. The action is part of FSSAI’s ongoing enforcement drive against misleading food labels, substandard products, and regulatory violations across the food industry.
